Cæ*su"ra (?), n.; pl. E. Cæsuras (&?;), L. Cæsuræ (&?;) [L. caesura a cutting off, a division, stop, fr. caedere, caesum, to cut off. See Concise.] A metrical break in a verse, occurring in the middle of a foot and commonly near the middle of the verse; a sense pause in the middle of a foot. Also, a long syllable on which the cæsural accent rests, or which is used as a foot.

&fist; In the following line the cæsura is between study and of.

The prop | er stud | y || of | mankind | is man.

• a pause or interruption in a poem, building or other work of art.