Definition of APOSIOPESIS

aposiopesis

Plural: aposiopeses

Noun

  • breaking off in the middle of a sentence (as by writers of realistic conversations)
  • An abrupt breaking-off in speech, often indicated in print using an ellipsis (…) or an em dash (—).

Origin / Etymology

From Latin aposiopesis, from Ancient Greek ἀποσιώπησις (aposiṓpēsis), from ἀποσιωπάω (aposiōpáō, “be silent”), from ἀπό (apó, “off, from”) + σιωπάω (siōpáō, “to be silent”).

Synonyms

reticence

Scrabble Score: 15

aposiopesis: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
aposiopesis: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
aposiopesis: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

aposiopesis: valid Words With Friends Word