ellipsis

noun el·lip·sis \i-ˈlip-səs, e-\

: the act of leaving out one or more words that are not necessary for a phrase to be understood

: a sign (such as …) used in printed text to show that words have been left out

plural el·lip·ses \-ˌsēz\

Full Definition of ELLIPSIS

a : the omission of one or more words that are obviously understood but that must be supplied to make a construction grammatically complete

b : a sudden leap from one topic to another

: marks or a mark (as …) indicating an omission (as of words) or a pause

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Latin, from Greek elleipsis ellipsis, ellipse, from elleipein to leave out, fall short, from en in + leipein to leave — more at in, loan

First Known Use: 1540

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