paralipsis

[ par-uh-lip-sis ]

/ ˌpær əˈlɪp sɪs /

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noun, plural par·a·lip·ses

[par-uh-lip-seez]. /ˌpær əˈlɪp siz/. Rhetoric.

the suggestion, by deliberately concise treatment of a topic, that much of significance is being omitted, as in “not to mention other faults.”

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Also par·a·leip·sis

[par-uh-lahyp-sis], /ˌpær əˈlaɪp sɪs/, par·a·lep·sis

[par-uh-lep-sis] /ˌpær əˈlɛp sɪs/ .

Also called preterition.

Origin of paralipsis

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin paralīpsis, from Greek paráleipsis “an omitting,” equivalent to paraleíp(ein) “to leave on one side” (equivalent to para- + leípein “to leave”) + -sis; see para-¹, -sis

Words nearby paralipsis

paralimnion, paralinguistic, paralinguistics, paralipomena, Paralipomenon, paralipsis, parallactic ellipse, parallactic motion, parallax, parallel, parallel bars

British Dictionary definitions for paralipsis

paralipsis

paraleipsis (ˌpærəˈlaɪpsɪs)

/ (ˌpærəˈlɪpsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

a rhetorical device in which an idea is emphasized by the pretence that it is too obvious to discuss, as in there are many drawbacks to your plan, not to mention the cost

Word Origin for paralipsis

C16: via Late Latin from Greek: neglect, from paraleipein to leave aside, from para- 1 + leipein to leave

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012