Definition of parenthesis Parenthesis

/pɚɛˈnθʌsɪs/ - [perenthusis] - pa•ren•the•sis

We found 11 definitions of parenthesis from 6 different sources.

What does parenthesis mean?

Noun Plural: parentheses
parenthesis - either of two punctuation marks (or) used to enclose textual material
parenthesis - a message that departs from the main subject
		digression, aside, excursus, divagation
		subject matter, message, content, substance a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled; "he sent a three-word message"

= synonym
= antonym
= related word

parenthesis (Noun)
A clause, phrase or word which is inserted usually for explanation or amplification into a passage which is already grammatically complete, and usually marked off with brackets, commas or dashes.
parenthesis (Noun)
Either of a pair of brackets, especially round brackets, ancURLe</b> and <b>ancURLb used to enclose parenthetical material in a text.
parenthesis (Noun)
A digression; the use of such digressions.
parenthesis (Noun)
Such brackets as used to clarify expressions by grouping those terms affected by a common operator, or to enclose the components of a vector or the elements of a matrix.

parenthesis (n.)
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.
parenthesis (n.)
One of the curved lines () which inclose a parenthetic word or phrase.

parenthesis
pa-ren′the-sis, n. a word, phrase, or sentence put in or inserted in another which is grammatically complete without it: (pl.) the marks ( ) used to mark off a parenthesis:—pl. Paren′theses (-sēz).—v.i. Parenth′esise.—adjs. Parenthet′ic, -al, of the nature of a parenthesis: expressed in a parenthesis: using parentheses.—adv. Parenthet′ically. [Gr.,—para, beside, en, in, thesis, a placing—tithenai, to place.]

parenthesis
To put a man's nose into a parenthesis: to pull it, the fingers and thumb answering the hooks or crochets. A wooden parenthesis; the pillory. An iron parenthesis; a prison.