parenthesis
parenthesis Lexical Profile
parenthesis Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Either or both of a pair of curved punctuation marks ( ) used to enclose explanatory material, an afterthought, or a group of symbols in mathematical and logical expressions.
"Please enclose the publication year in parentheses at the end of the citation."
A word, clause, or sentence inserted as an explanation, qualification, or afterthought into a passage that is grammatically complete without it.
"The speaker added a brief parenthesis about his early career before returning to the main topic."
An interlude or interval that interrupts or contrasts with a prevailing course of events or continuity.
"The peaceful summer served as a welcome parenthesis between two demanding academic years."
Word Nuance & Usage
Note the irregular Greek plural 'parentheses' (pronounced with a long 'e' sound at the end), which refers to a pair of the punctuation marks, whereas 'parenthesis' is singular. In British English, the curved punctuation marks themselves are commonly called 'brackets', while 'parenthesis' is more often reserved for the rhetorical aside.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-16th century via Late Latin from Ancient Greek 'parenthesis', literally meaning 'a putting in beside', from 'parentithenai' ('to put in beside'), formed from 'para-' (beside), 'en-' (in), and 'tithenai' (to place).