verb
Other Word Forms
- elidible adjective
- unelided adjective
Etymology
Origin of elide
First recorded in 1530–50; from Latin ēlīdere “to strike out,” equivalent to ē- “out, out of; away” + -līdere, combining form of laedere “to wound”; see e- 1
Explanation
To elide something is to omit it or get rid of it. If your parents are especially strict, you might tell them about the A you got on your English essay and elide the fact that you failed your math quiz. If your school is putting on a production of "Grease" and the director cuts a major scene from the play, you can say she elides it. And when an elected official gives a speech, he's almost sure to elide certain topics that are too controversial or negative. Elide is also used in grammar to describe the way people speak when they leave out certain sounds. It comes from the Latin elidere, "strike out or force out."
Vocabulary lists containing elide
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But this kind of ludicrous fantasy allows Hegseth to elide the deep paradox of his argument.
From Salon • Nov. 14, 2024
The problems with the analogy were evident from the lengths Ely went to to elide them.
From Slate • Jun. 25, 2023
They needed to preserve the essential meaning of each element of the show, but also elide some of the more arcane details, and they needed to echo the musicality of the language.
From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2022
“Doxology,” for instance, brushes up against a litany of major historical events, 9/11, the Trump election, only to skirt their impacts or at least elide them.
From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2022
In letters that were passionate and practical by turns, they did whatever they could to elide the miles between them.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.