a. [ L. catalecticus, Gr. &unr_; incomplete, fr. &unr_; to leave off; kata` down, wholly + lh`gein to stop. ] 1. (Pros.) Wanting a syllable at the end, or terminating in an imperfect foot; as, a catalectic verse. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Photog. & Chem.) Incomplete; partial; not affecting the whole of a substance. Abney. [ 1913 Webster ]