Australian MPs fight to save drug smuggler

[sammynb 3538]

Right, I've had a look.

 

Put simply an aposeopesis is a rhetorical device used at the end of a statement, it means literally to become silent.  And can in fact be something other than '...', it could for example be '---'.

 

The word ellipsis refers specifically to the 3 dots '...' but its literal meaning is fairly similar, leave out, so it's really only a matter of how the 2 words evolved.

50285[/snapback]

 

Here you go dad, let me help you:

el·lip·sis    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (-lpss)

n. pl. el·lip·ses (-sz)

 

The omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction but not necessary for understanding.

An example of such omission.

A mark or series of marks (... or * * *, for example) used in writing or printing to indicate an omission, especially of letters or words.

 

As opposed to:

ap·o·si·o·pe·sis    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (p-s-pss)

n. pl. ap·o·si·o·pe·ses (-sz)

A sudden breaking off of a thought in the middle of a sentence, as though the speaker were unwilling or unable to continue.

 

Feel better now???