paralipsis

[ par-uh-lip-sis ]

noun

, Rhetoric.

, plural par·a·lip·ses [par-, uh, -, lip, -seez].

1. the suggestion, by deliberately concise treatment of a topic, that much of significance is being omitted, as in “not to mention other faults.”

paralipsis

/ ˌpærəˈlɪpsɪs; ˌpærəˈlaɪpsɪs /

noun

1. a rhetorical device in which an idea is emphasized by the pretence that it is too obvious to discuss, as in there are many drawbacks to your plan, not to mention the cost

Word History and Origins

Origin of paralipsis¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin paralīpsis, from Greek paráleipsis “an omitting,” equivalent to paraleíp(ein) “to leave on one side” (equivalent to para- + leípein “to leave”) + -sis; para- ¹, -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of paralipsis¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek: neglect, from paraleipein to leave aside, from para- ¹+ leipein to leave

Example Sentences

But to remind Trump, by speaking on behalf of the majority of the country, that everyone is on to him, in a reversal of Trump’s favorite “everyone is saying” paralipsis device:

From Washington Post

Trump also used the trope of paralipsis to pave his path to power.

From Washington Post

The third unifying strategy is a slippery one called paralipsis, which you translate colloquially as "I'm not saying/I'm just saying."

From Salon

His retweets functioned as a paralipsis: It allowed him to say and not say and provided him with the out of plausible deniability.

From Salon

Trump has stopped using the “wink” of paralipsis since he became president.

From Salon