ellipsis

UK /ɪˈlɪp.sɪs/ US /ɪˈlɪp.sɪs/

noun 4

Definitions

noun

A mark consisting of multiple full stops (with or without spaces), used to indicate omitted, missing, or illegible words; or (in mathematics) that a pattern continues.

The ellipsis in 1, 2, 3, ..., 8, 9 means that the numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7 are not explicitly included, but are considered to be part of the pattern.

The ellipsis in 0.333... means that the number is a repeating decimal, having threes that go on forever.

The omission of a word or phrase that can be inferred from the context.

The omission of scenes in a film that do not advance the plot.

It was now possible for writers and directors to cut scenes that did not further the plot; called "ellipses" by filmmakers.

An ellipse.

Collocations

ADJ.

grammatical

VERB + ELLIPSIS

called, despised, put, quote

ELLIPSIS + NOUN

brackets, error, grammar, tiptoe

PREP.

in, with

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — omission or suppression of parts of words or sentences

eclipsis

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

The ellipsis in 1, 2, 3, ..., 8, 9 means that the numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7 are not explicitly included, but are considered to be part of the pattern.

Wiktionary

The ellipsis in 0.333... means that the number is a repeating decimal, having threes that go on forever.

Wiktionary

CARD: Hey Baby. Thanks for the … last night. Love you! HAZEL: Wow. I've never despised an ellipsis so much in my life.

Wiktionary

In my language, the "," is called comma, the ";" is called semicolon, ":" is called colon, "..." are called ellipsis, and this sentence ends with a period.

Tatoeba · #1336028

The ellipsis are the tiptoe marks of the words gone.

Tatoeba · #10106833

When skipping words in a quote, put an ellipsis in square brackets, like so: "Tom went [...] to the train station".

Tatoeba · #10333139

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, ellipsis is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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