'catalectic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'katalēktikos,' where 'kata-' meant 'down' and 'lēgein' meant 'to leave.'

'katalēktikos' transformed into the Latin word 'catalecticus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'catalectic.'

Initially, it meant 'to leave down or incomplete,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.