Which term describes when the meaning of a line of poetry continues onto the next line without a pause?

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The term that describes the continuation of a line of poetry into the next line without a pause is "enjambment." This technique allows for a flow of thought and can create tension or urgency in the poem since the reader must move on to the next line to complete the thought. Enjambment contrasts with an end-stopped line, where a line concludes with a punctuation mark, creating a pause for the reader. This distinction is crucial in understanding the pacing and rhythm of a poem, as well as how meaning is developed across lines. Other terms like "refrain" refer to repeated lines or phrases, while "couplet" describes two consecutive lines that usually rhyme, neither of which pertain to the continuity of meaning across lines. Thus, enjambment effectively illustrates how poets manipulate line breaks to enhance their craft.

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