parenthetical

American  

[par-uhn-thet-i-kuhl] / ˌpær ənˈθɛt ɪ kəl /

Also parenthetic

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, noting, or of the nature of a parenthesis.

   several unnecessary parenthetic remarks.

2. characterized by the use of parentheses.

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Other Word Forms

• interparenthetic adjective
• interparenthetical adjective
• parentheticality noun
• parenthetically adverb
• parentheticalness noun
• unparenthetic adjective
• unparenthetical adjective

Etymology

Origin of parenthetical

First recorded in 1620–30; from Greek parénthet(os) “interpolated” (verbid of parentithénai, equivalent to par- par- + en- en- ² + the-, variant stem of tithénai “to put” + -tos verbal adjective suffix) + -ic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Even buried in a parenthetical as it is, the word “mandamus” jumps off the page as a threat to seek an extraordinary intervention by the appellate court.

From Seattle Times

Later, Cyrus performed the song live for the first time, adding some parenthetical asides to the lyrics.

From BBC

Today’s playlist is devoted to one of my absolute favorite musical conventions: the parenthetical song title.

From New York Times

Tell me about those interviews and parenthetical asides.

From Los Angeles Times

His discursive forays into changing landscapes — whether basketball courts, or parking lots re-envisioned as skate parks, or gardens, or his own body — are sometimes parenthetical or footnoted, but they are never boring.

From Washington Post