apophasis

noun apoph·a·sis \ə-ˈpä-fə-səs\

Definition of APOPHASIS

: the raising of an issue by claiming not to mention it (as in “we won't discuss his past crimes”)

Late Latin, repudiation, from Greek, denial, negation, from apophanai to deny, from apo- + phanai to say — more at ban

First Known Use: 1657

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