parenthesis

[puh-ren-thuh-sis]

noun

plural

parentheses 

1. either or both of a pair of signs ( ) used in writing to mark off an interjected explanatory or qualifying remark, to indicate separate groupings of symbols in mathematics and symbolic logic, etc.

2. Usually parentheses. the material contained within these marks.

3. Grammar.,  a qualifying, explanatory, or appositive word, phrase, clause, or sentence that interrupts a syntactic construction without otherwise affecting it, having often a characteristic intonation and indicated in writing by commas, parentheses, or dashes, as in William Smith—you must know him—is coming tonight.

4. an interval.

parenthesis

/ ˌpærənˈθɛtɪk, pəˈrɛnθɪsɪs /

noun

1. a phrase, often explanatory or qualifying, inserted into a passage with which it is not grammatically connected, and marked off by brackets, dashes, etc

2. Also called: bracket. either of a pair of characters, (), used to enclose such a phrase or as a sign of aggregation in mathematical or logical expressions

3. an intervening occurrence; interlude; interval

4. inserted as a parenthesis

Other Word Forms

• parenthetic adjective
• parenthetically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of parenthesis¹

1560–70; < Late Latin < Greek parénthesis a putting in beside. See par-, en- ², thesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of parenthesis¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek: something placed in besides, from parentithenai, from _para- ¹ + _en- ² + tithenai to put

Example Sentences

It’s less jarring than parentheses but a bigger interruption than commas.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They are listed in ascending order of their trailing-month returns, which are displayed in the parentheses.

Read more on MarketWatch

It will always be a melter of a slow jam, but its intention is in those parentheses – to be in the sensation of aliveness he’s created.

Read more on Salon

Unlike periods and commas, em dashes aren’t integral to sentence structure; they’re a considered choice that can, but by no means have to, take the place of commas, parentheses and semicolons.

Read more on Salon

It was an ad for a Holocaust tour that touted in parentheses “with lunch.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times