Ellipsis
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ɪˈlɪp.sɪs/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Ellipsis is a noun meaning (grammar, linguistics, rhetoric) The omission of a word or phrase that can be inferred from the context.
Meaning
(grammar, linguistics, rhetoric) The omission of a word or phrase that can be inferred from the context.
More Meanings
- (film) The omission of scenes in a film that do not advance the plot.
- (typography, mathematics) A mark consisting of multiple full stops (with or without spaces), used to indicate omitted, missing, or illegible words; or (in mathematics) that a pattern continues.
- (obsolete, geometry) An ellipse.
Example Sentences
The ellipsis in 0.333... means that the number is a repeating decimal, having threes that go on forever.
CARD: Hey Baby. Thanks for the … last night. Love you! HAZEL: Wow. I've never despised an ellipsis so much in my life.
It was now possible for writers and directors to cut scenes that did not further the plot; called "ellipses" by filmmakers.
The ellipsis in 1, 2, 3, ..., 8, 9 means that the numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7 are not explicitly included, but are considered to be part of the pattern.
Word Forms
- ellipses
Synonyms for ellipsis
Depending on context, synonyms include eclipsis.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include eclipsis, ellipse, oval, interpunct, emdash, period.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.