parenthetical

Also par·en·thet·ic

[par-uhn-thet-i-kuhl]

adjective

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

   several unnecessary parenthetic remarks.

2. characterized by the use of parentheses.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of parenthetical¹

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.

Read more on Seattle Times

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

Read more on BBC

Mitchell included that parenthetical "and men" to put a pseudo-egalitarian gloss on this puritanical crackdown, but his actual behavior suggests he's a big fan of the sexual double standard, or worse.

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on New York Times

Tell me about those interviews and parenthetical asides.

Read more on Los Angeles Times