The word “caesura” comes directly from the Latin “caesura,” referring to a pause in the meter of poetry. A caesura can be an interruption or break, but this word is most commonly used in a more formal context for the agreed-upon break in a line of speech or song. For example, a choir might take a quick caesura for a breath at the same time. One of the most familiar caesuras is the slight pause following the words, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,” which begin the Pledge of Allegiance. The caesuras in the pledge are memorized as part of the delivery, along with the 31 words.