What is Ellipsis?
1.
An ellipsis is a series of three or more periods (...) inserted into a sentence to indicate a pause or silence. Ellipses are usually used in dialogue. Ellipses are used today in lieu of other proper punctuation.
An ellipsis can also be used to indicate the ommission or suppression of a word or phrase.
Latin ellpsis, from Greek elleipsis, from elleipein, to fall short.
Plural: ellipses
"I was thinking... well... maybe we could... ummmm.... go out sometime Sally."
"Why don't you just .... off!"
2.
plural noun.
The omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction but not necessary for understanding.
A mark or series of marks ( . . . or * * * , for example) used in writing or printing to indicate an omission, especially of letters or words.
ellipsis: "when you double-click the link..."
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