51Թ

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View synonyms for

aposiopesis

[ ap-uh-sahy-uh-pee-sis ]

noun

Rhetoric.
plural aposiopeses
  1. a sudden breaking off in the midst of a sentence, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed.


aposiopesis

/ ˌæpəʊˌsaɪəˈpiːsɪs; ˌæpəʊˌsaɪəˈpɛtɪk /

noun

  1. rhetoric the device of suddenly breaking off in the middle of a sentence as if unwilling to continue
“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
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Derived Forms

  • aposiopetic, adjective
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ····· [ap-, uh, -sahy-, uh, -, pet, -ik], adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of aposiopesis1

1570–80; < Late Latin < Greek: literally, a full silence, equivalent to Dzōŧ- (verbid stem of Dzōá𾱲 to be fully silent; apo- apo- + ōá𾱲 to be silent) + -sis -sis
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of aposiopesis1

C16: via Late Latin from Greek, from Dzō貹𾱲 to be totally silent, from ō貹𾱲 to be silent
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

And the novel's final line, from inside Valentine's head, is a typical and brilliant Fordian aposiopesis: "She was setting out on …" It could end there.

From

And he turned away with a shrug to point his admirable aposiopesis.

From

Raphael, Michael Angelo, Wiertz, Reynolds——” He paused, not in order to produce the effect of a dramatic aposiopesis, but because he could not for the moment remember other names of painters.

From

Who ever composed with greater spirit and elegance because he could define an oxymoron or an aposiopesis?”

From

By judicious selection, by innuendo, here a pitying aposiopesis, there an indignant outburst, the charges are heaped up.

From

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