apophasis

[ uh-pof-uh-sis ]

noun

1. Rhetoric. denial of one's intention to speak of a subject that is at the same time named or insinuated, as “I shall not mention Caesar's avarice, nor his cunning, nor his morality.”
2. Theology. knowledge, understanding, or description of God through negative statements about qualities and characteristics that God does not possess, as "God is not confined by space or time." negative theology.

apophasis

/ əˈpɒfəsɪs /

noun

1. rhetoric the device of mentioning a subject by stating that it will not be mentioned

   I shall not discuss his cowardice or his treachery

Other Words From

• ap·o·phat·ic [ap-, uh, -, fat, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apophasis¹

1650–60; < Late Latin < Greek: a denial, equivalent to apópha ( nai ) to say no, deny ( apo- apo- + phánai to say) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of apophasis¹

C17: via Latin from Greek: denial, from apo- + phanai to say

Example Sentences

But the newspaper used the rhetorical device apophasis, adding tongue-in-cheek: "We do not endorse Hillary Clinton's exemplary leadership during her 30 years in the public eye. "

From BBC