parenthesis

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pa·ren·the·sis / pəˈren[unvoicedth]əsis/ • n. (pl. -ses / -ˌsēz/ ) a word, clause, or sentence inserted as an explanation or afterthought into a passage that is grammatically complete without it, in writing usually marked off by curved brackets, dashes, or commas. ∎  (usu. parentheses) one or both of a pair of marks ( ) used to include such a word, clause, or sentence. ∎  an interlude or interval: the three months of coalition government were a lamentable political parenthesis.PHRASES: in parenthesis as a digression or afterthought.ORIGIN: mid 16th cent.: via late Latin from Greek, from parentithenai ‘put in beside.’

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