aposiopesis

American  

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

noun

Rhetoric.

plural

aposiopeses

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

• aposiopetic adjective

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

By judicious selection, by innuendo, here a pitying aposiopesis, there an indignant outburst, the charges are heaped up.

From Adventures in Criticism by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir

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

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

The use of tmesis, asyndeton, anacoluthon, aposiopesis, hyperbaton, hyperbole, litotes, in Latin oratory and poetry.

From The History of Roman Literature From the earliest period to the death of Marcus Aurelius by Cruttwell, Charles Thomas

Yes, but—Richard used the device of aposiopesis; Daniel Dabbs took it for a humorous effect and began a roar, which was summarily interdicted.

From Demos by Gissing, George