noun
ellipsis
ih-LIP-sis/ɪˈlɪpsɪs/
The omission of words from speech or writing.
The three dots mark an ellipsis where words have been omitted.
Etymology
The idea of leaving out first described omitted words understood from context, then marks showing an omission. Their use for pauses probably grew from the pause made when reading such omissions aloud.
In context
An ellipsis - that trio of dots - ultimately conveys silence for example, through a lapse, a deliberate interruption, or because a writer doesn’t want to bother you with a full quote.
More examples
- In “Want some coffee?” ellipsis leaves out “Do you.”
- The reply “I can” uses ellipsis when the question is “Can you swim?”
- The editor uses ellipsis to shorten a lengthy quotation.
Forms
ellipsis · ellipses
elliptical adjective — leaving words out but remaining understandable
Similar words
- omission
- Omission covers anything left out, not just words.
- elision
- Elision usually drops sounds or syllables rather than whole words.