aposiopesis

[ ap-uh-sahy-uh-pee-sis ]

noun

, Rhetoric.

, plural ap·o·si·o·pe·ses [ap-, uh, -sahy-, uh, -, pee, -seez].

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

aposiopesis

/ ˌæpəʊˌsaɪəˈpiːsɪs; ˌæpəʊˌsaɪəˈpɛtɪk /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• aposiopetic, adjective

Other Words From

• ap·o·si·o·pet·ic [ap-, uh, -sahy-, uh, -, pet, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aposiopesis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of aposiopesis¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek, from aposiōpaein to be totally silent, from siōpaein to be silent

Example Sentences

The aposiopesis was alarming, and Blarden's direction was obeyed instantaneously.

From Project Gutenberg

Though in my edition I have made here an aposiopesis, I think it more probable that a line has been lost.

From Project Gutenberg

There may have been, as Malone thought, a line lost here; but I rather think it is an aposiopesis.

From Project Gutenberg

There is either an aposiopesis or a line lost after this; I think the latter.

From Project Gutenberg

There may be a line lost here; I make in preference an aposiopesis.

From Project Gutenberg