Catalectic trochee: A metrical foot that is considered "catalectic" because it is incomplete or "cut short." A standard trochee consists of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable (/ x). A catalectic trochee is a single stressed syllable with no following unstressed syllable. While a single catalectic foot is rare, the term is more often used to describe a line of poetry that is catalectic, meaning it is missing its final, expected foot. For example, a line of iambic pentameter that ends with an accented syllable instead of a standard iambic foot (unstressed-stressed) would be catalectic. This metrical variation is common in English poetry and is often used for expressive effect, to create a truncated, abrupt, or emphatic ending to a line. It contrasts with an "acatalectic" line, which is complete and full.

Trochaic foot lacking final unstressed syllable, creating emphatic ending. Often appears as final foot in line. Creates sense of incompleteness or abruptness. Compare with complete trochee's falling rhythm.