aposiopesis

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An abrupt breaking-off in speech, often indicated in print using an ellipsis (…) or an em dash (—).

Pronunciation

/ˌæpəsaɪəˈpiːsɪs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-aposiopesis.wav

Word forms

aposiopesis aposiopeses

Etymology

From Latin aposiopesis, from Ancient Greek ἀποσιώπησις (aposiṓpēsis), from ἀποσιωπάω (aposiōpáō, “be silent”), from ἀπό (apó, “off, from”) + σιωπάω (siōpáō, “to be silent”).

Synonyms

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