aposiopesis

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

noun

, Rhetoric.

, plural ap·o·si·o·pe·ses [ap-, uh, -sahy-, uh, -, pee, -seez].

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

Derived Forms

• aposiopetic, adjective

Other Words From

• ap·o·si·o·pet·ic [ap-, uh, -sahy-, uh, -, pet, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aposiopesis¹

1570–80; < Late Latin < Greek: literally, a full silence, equivalent to aposiōpē- (verbid stem of aposiōpáein to be fully silent; apo- apo- + siōpáein to be silent) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of aposiopesis¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek, from aposiōpaein to be totally silent, from siōpaein to be silent

Example Sentences

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 The Guardian

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

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg