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Glite Dictionary
paraleipsis

paraleipsis

9.9
A way of bringing up something by saying you will not talk about it
  • noun
  • /ˌpærəˈlaɪp.sɪs/
  • Literature
translation icon : paraleipsis
  • ‘I won’t mention’ is a classic phrase employed to signal paraleipsis in speeches and writing.

Examples

  • The senator used paraleipsis to bring up her opponent’s scandals, saying she wouldn’t dignify them with discussion.

  • Writers sometimes use paraleipsis to imply something without stating it outright.

  • The speaker used paraleipsis to subtly highlight the issue.

  • Many writers employ paraleipsis in their arguments.

  • The senator used paraleipsis to bring attention to her opponent's scandals while claiming she wouldn't discuss them.

  • Writers often use paraleipsis to hint at important points without explicitly stating them.

  • In many speeches, the phrase ‘I won’t mention’ indicates the use of paraleipsis to draw attention to a topic indirectly.

Synonyms

paralipsis
vsparaleipsis
  • Literature
9.9

To pretend not to mention something while actually making people notice it

calls attention by pretending to omit rather than by hinting at extra detail
paralepsis
vsparaleipsis
  • Literature
9.9

Mentioning something briefly while pretending to ignore it draws attention

calls attention by pretending to ignore it rather than by a brief mention
apophasis
vsparaleipsis
  • Literature
9.9

Saying you will not talk about something to draw attention to it

calls attention by professing omission, not by openly refusing to discuss it
preterition
vsparaleipsis
  • Literature
9.9

Briefly mention something while saying you will not give the important details

calls attention by pretending to omit rather than by focusing on missing details

Surface Forms

paraleipsis singular
paraleipses plural

Etymology

Paraleipsis comes from Greek parts para- ('beside' or 'near') and leipsis ('leaving out'), and it is like the familiar English word ellipsis, which also shows an omission. That's why paraleipsis means drawing attention to something by saying you will not mention it — you 'leave it out' but still point to it.