Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Parenthesis

Pa-ren′the-sis

(pȧ-rĕn′thē̍-sĭs)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Parentheses
(#)
.
[NL., fr. Gr.
παρένθεσις
, fr.
παρεντιθέναι
to put in beside, insert;
παρά
beside +
ἐν
in +
τιθέναι
to put, place. See
Para-
,
En-
, 2, and
Thesis
.]
1.
A word, phrase, or sentence, by way of comment or explanation, inserted in, or attached to, a sentence which would be grammatically complete without it. It is usually inclosed within curved lines (see def. 2 below), or dashes.
“Seldom mentioned without a derogatory parenthesis.”
Sir T. Browne.
Don’t suffer every occasional thought to carry you away into a long
parenthesis
.
Watts.
2.
(Print.)
One of the curved lines () which inclose a parenthetic word or phrase.
☞ Parenthesis, in technical grammar, is that part of a sentence which is inclosed within the recognized sign; but many phrases and sentences which are punctuated by commas are logically parenthetical. In def. 1, the phrase “by way of comment or explanation” is inserted for explanation, and the sentence would be grammatically complete without it. The present tendency is to avoid using the distinctive marks, except when confusion would arise from a less conspicuous separation.

Webster 1828 Edition

Parenthesis

PAREN'THESIS

,
Noun.
[Gr. to insert.] A sentence, or certain words inserted in a sentence, which interrupt the sense or natural connection of words, but serve to explain or qualify the sense of the principal sentence. The parenthesis is usually included in hooks or curved lines, thus.
These officers, whom they still call bishops, are to be elected to a provision comparatively mean, through the same arts, (that is, electioneering arts,) by men of all religious tenets that are known or can be invented.
Do not suffer every occasional thought to carry you away into a long parenthesis.

Similar Results