ap·o·si·o·pe·sis ( p  -s -p  s s)n. pl. ap·o·si·o·pe·ses (-s z) A sudden breaking off of a thought in the middle of a sentence, as though the speaker were unwilling or unable to continue. [Late Latin aposi  psis, from Greek, from aposip n, to become silent : apo-, intensive pref.; see apo- + sipn, to be silent (from sip, silence).]ap o·sio·petic (-p tk) adj. |
aposiopesis [ˌæpəʊˌsaɪəˈpiːsɪs]
n pl -ses [-siːz]
(Literature / Rhetoric) Rhetoric the device of suddenly breaking off in the middle of a sentence as if unwilling to continue
[via Late Latin from Greek, from aposiōpaein to be totally silent, from siōpaein to be silent]
aposiopetic [ˌæpəʊˌsaɪəˈpɛtɪk] adj
aposiopesis
a sudden breaking off in the middle of a sentence as if unable or unwilling to proceed. — aposiopetic, adj.
See also: Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devices
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | aposiopesis - breaking off in the middle of a sentence (as by writers of realistic conversations) rhetorical device - a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance) |
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