aposiopesis

American  

[ap-uh-sahy-uh-pee-sis] / ˌæp əˌsaɪ əˈpi sɪs /

noun

Rhetoric.

aposiopeses plural

1. a sudden breaking off in the midst of a sentence, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed.

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aposiopesis British  

/ ˌæpəʊˌsaɪəˈpiːsɪs, ˌæpəʊˌsaɪəˈpɛtɪk /

noun

1. rhetoric the device of suddenly breaking off in the middle of a sentence as if unwilling to continue

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• aposiopetic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• aposiopeses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of aposiopesis

1570–80; < Late Latin < Greek: literally, a full silence, equivalent to aposiōpē- (verbid stem of aposiōpáein to be fully silent; apo- apo- + siōpáein to be silent) + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

And the novel's final line, from inside Valentine's head, is a typical and brilliant Fordian aposiopesis: "She was setting out on …" It could end there.

From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2012

"So..." said Mr. Carmyle, becoming articulate, and allowed an impressive aposiopesis to take the place of the rest of the speech.

From The Adventures of Sally by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)

Raphael, Michael Angelo, Wiertz, Reynolds——” He paused, not in order to produce the effect of a dramatic aposiopesis, but because he could not for the moment remember other names of painters.

From The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol by Ball, Alec

"If you will have it," said Alf, with fine aposiopesis.

From Not George Washington — an Autobiographical Novel by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)

And he turned away with a shrug to point his admirable aposiopesis.

From Witching Hill by Hornung, E. W. (Ernest William)