Cesura

Cesura is a term used in poetry and music to denote a pause or break. In poetry, a cesura is a metrical pause within a line, not at the end. It is often indicated by punctuation, such as a comma, semicolon, or dash, but it can also be implied by the natural rhythm and phrasing of the verse. The placement of a cesura can affect the meaning and emotional impact of a line, creating emphasis or altering the flow of thought. For example, a pause after a significant word can give it more weight.

In music, a cesura is a silence of unspecified duration, marked by a symbol that looks like a very large tick mark or a sideways V, often placed above the staff. This symbol instructs the performer to pause, allowing for a dramatic effect, a change in tempo, or a moment of reflection before continuing. The length of the pause is typically left to the performer's discretion or the conductor's interpretation, though it is generally longer than a regular beat or rest. Cesuras are common in various musical genres and periods, from classical compositions to contemporary works, and serve to break the continuity and add expressive nuance.