verb
- to continue a sentence or clause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza in poetry without a terminal punctuation mark
Usage: literary/poetry term; third person singular present tense of 'enjamb'
Examples
- The poet enjambs the final line of the stanza to create momentum into the next verse.
- When a writer enjambs lines, the reader must continue reading to find the complete thought.
- Shakespeare often enjambs his lines to maintain the natural rhythm of speech.
- The modern poet enjambs frequently, breaking traditional end-stopped line patterns.
- By using enjambment, the author enjambs the syntax across multiple lines for dramatic effect.