from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
caesura \cae*su"ra\, n.; pl. E. {caesuras}, L. {C[ae]sur[ae]}
[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
c[ae]sural accent rests, or which is used as a foot.
[1913 Webster]
Note: In the following line the c[ae]sura is between study
and of.
[1913 Webster]
The prop | er stud | y of | mankind | is man.
[1913 Webster]
2. a pause or interruption (as in a conversation); as, after
an ominous caesura the preacher continued.
[WordNet 1.5]