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Definition of parenthetical - 2 dictionary results

par⋅en⋅thet⋅ic

  [par-uhn-thet-ik]
Use parenthetical in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, noting, or of the nature of a parenthesis: several unnecessary parenthetic remarks.
2. characterized by the use of parentheses.
Also, par⋅en⋅thet⋅i⋅cal.

Origin:
1770–80; back formation from parenthetical < Gk parénthet(os) interpolated (verbid of parentithénai, equiv. to par- par- + en- en- 2 + the-, var. s. of tithénai to put + -tos v. adj. suffix) + -ic + -al 1

Related forms:
par⋅en⋅thet⋅i⋅cal⋅i⋅ty, par⋅en⋅thet⋅i⋅cal⋅ness, noun
par⋅en⋅thet⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To parenthetical
par·en·thet·i·cal   (pār'ən-thět'ĭ-kəl)   
adj.   also par·en·thet·ic (-ĭk)
  1. Set off within or as if within parentheses; qualifying or explanatory: a parenthetical remark.
  2. Using or containing parentheses.
n.  A parenthetical word, phrase, or remark.
par'en·thet'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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