parenthesis
Use Parenthesis in a sentence
θə noun, plural pa·ren·the·ses [-seez] .
[-seez] . 1.
either or both of a pair of signs ( ) used in writing to mark off an interjected explanatory or qualifying remark, to indicate separate groupings of symbols in mathematics and symbolic logic, etc.
2.
Usually, parentheses. the material contained within these marks.
3.
Grammar. a qualifying, explanatory, or appositive word, phrase, clause, or sentence that interrupts a syntactic construction without otherwise affecting it, having often a characteristic intonation and indicated in writing by commas, parentheses, or dashes, as in William Smith—you must know him—is coming tonight.
4.
an interval.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To parenthesis
00:10
Parenthesis
is always a great word to know.
So is em dash. Does it mean:
| one of two marks « or » used in French, Italian, and Russian printing to enclose quotations. |
| a dash one em long. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
parenthesis (pəˈrɛnθɪsɪs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl -ses | |
| 1. | a phrase, often explanatory or qualifying, inserted into a passage with which it is not grammatically connected, and marked off by brackets, dashes, etc |
| 2. | Also called: bracket either of a pair of characters, (), used to enclose such a phrase or as a sign of aggregation in mathematical or logical expressions |
| 3. | an intervening occurrence; interlude; interval |
| 4. | in parenthesis inserted as a parenthesis |
| [C16: via Late Latin from Greek: something placed in besides, from parentithenai, from | |
| parenthetic | |
| —adj | |
| paren'thetical | |
| —adj | |
| paren'thetically | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
parenthesis
1550, "words, clauses, etc. inserted into a sentence," from M.Fr. parenthèse, from L.L. parenthesis "addition of a letter to a syllable in a word," from Gk. parenthesis, lit. "a putting in beside," from parentithenai "put in beside," from para- "beside" + en- "in" + tithenai "put, place," from
PIE base *dhe- "to put, to do" (see factitious). Extension of the word to the curved brackets that indicate the words inserted is from 1715.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Models that appear in parenthesis and in red are discontinued, but may still be available in stores.
Sources are listed in parenthesis after the definition.
Your explanation in parenthesis would result in everybody paying the same dollar amount in taxes.
Content is refreshed at the times shown in parenthesis above.
Nearby Words
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