paralipsis

[ par-uh-lip-sis ]
/ ˌpær əˈlɪp sɪs /

noun, plural par·a·lip·ses [par-uh-lip-seez] /ˌpær əˈlɪp siz/. Rhetoric.

the suggestion, by deliberately concise treatment of a topic, that much of significance is being omitted, as in “not to mention other faults.”
Also paraleipsis, paralepsis.
Also called preterition.

Origin of paralipsis

1580–90; < Late Latin paralīpsis < Greek paráleipsis an omitting, equivalent to paraleíp(ein) to leave on one side ( para- para-1 + leípein to leave) + -sis -sis

Words nearby paralipsis

paralimnion, paralinguistic, paralinguistics, paralipomena, paralipomenon, paralipsis, parallactic ellipse, parallactic motion, parallax, parallax test, parallel

British Dictionary definitions for paralipsis

paralipsis

paraleipsis (ˌpærəˈlaɪpsɪs)

/ (ˌpærəˈlɪpsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

a rhetorical device in which an idea is emphasized by the pretence that it is too obvious to discuss, as in there are many drawbacks to your plan, not to mention the cost

Word Origin for paralipsis

C16: via Late Latin from Greek: neglect, from paraleipein to leave aside, from para- 1 + leipein to leave