A CAESURA is a pause in a line of verse, usually indicated by punctuation. It is a rhetorical device used to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis in poetry. The term CAESURA comes from the Latin for 'CUTTING' or 'DIVISION'. In poetry, it is used to break up a line of verse into two distinct parts, often with a pause in between. This pause can be used to create a sense of tension or suspense, or to emphasize a particular word or phrase.