Word Meanings - PARENTHESIS - Book Publishers vocabulary database

One of the curved lines which inclose a parenthetic word or phrase. Note: Parenthesis, in technical grammar, is that part of a sentence which is inclosed within the recognized sign; but many phrases and sentences which are punctuated by commas

Additional info about word: PARENTHESIS

One of the curved lines which inclose a parenthetic word or phrase. Note: Parenthesis, in technical grammar, is that part of a sentence which is inclosed within the recognized sign; but many phrases and sentences which are punctuated by commas are logically parenthetical. In def. 1, the phrase "by way of comment or explanation" is inserted for explanation, and the sentence would be grammatically complete without it. The present tendency is to avoid using the distinctive marks, except when confusion would arise from a less conspicuous separation. (more info) 1. 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. "Seldom mentioned without a derogatory parenthesis." Sir T. Browne. Don't suffer every occasional thought to carry you away into a long parenthesis. Watts.

Related words: (words related to PARENTHESIS)

• PARENTHETIC; PARENTHETICAL
  1. Of the nature of a parenthesis; pertaining to, or expressed in, or as in, a parenthesis; as, a parenthetical clause; a parenthetic remark. A parenthetical observation of Moses himself. Hales. 2. Using or containing parentheses.
• PARENTHESIS
  One of the curved lines which inclose a parenthetic word or phrase. Note: Parenthesis, in technical grammar, is that part of a sentence which is inclosed within the recognized sign; but many phrases and sentences which are punctuated by commas
• PUNCTUATE
  To mark with points; to separate into sentences, clauses, etc., by points or stops which mark the proper pauses in expressing the meaning.
• CURVIROSTRES
  A group of passerine birds, including the creepers and nuthatches.
• CURVICAUDATE
  Having a curved or crooked tail.
• INCLOSER
  One who, or that which, incloses; one who fences off land from common grounds.
• GRAMMARIAN
  1. One versed in grammar, or the construction of languages; a philologist. Note: "The term was used by the classic ancients as a term of honorable distinction for all who were considered learned in any art or faculty whatever." Brande & C. 2. One
• WHICHEVER; WHICHSOEVER
  Whether one or another; whether one or the other; which; that one which; as, whichever road you take, it will lead you to town.
• RECOGNIZOR; RECOGNISOR
  One who enters into a recognizance. Blackstone.
• TECHNICALLY
  In a technical manner; according to the signification of terms as used in any art, business, or profession.
• CURVISERIAL
  Distributed in a curved line, as leaves along a stem.
• CURVE
  A line described according to some low, and having no finite portion of it a straight line. Axis of a curve. See under Axis. -- Curve of quickest descent. See Brachystochrone. -- Curve tracing , the process of determining the shape, location,
• CURVATURE
  The amount of degree of bending of a mathematical curve, or the tendency at any point to depart from a tangent drawn to the curve at that point. Aberrancy of curvature , the deviation of a curve from a curcular form. -Absolute curvature. See under
• CURVATE; CURVATED
  Bent in a regular form; curved.
• PUNCTUATIVE
  Of or belonging to points of division; relating to punctuation. The punctuative intonation of feeble cadence. Rush.
• WHICH
  the root of hwa who + lic body; hence properly, of what sort or kind; akin to OS. hwilik which, OFries. hwelik, D. welk, G. welch, OHG. welih, hwelih, Icel. hvilikr, Dan. & Sw. hvilken, Goth. hwileiks, 1. Of what sort or kind; what; what a; who.
• RECOGNIZER
  One who recognizes; a recognizor.
• INCLOSE
  Etym: 1. To surround; to shut in; to confine on all sides; to include; to shut up; to encompass; as, to inclose a fort or an army with troops; to inclose a town with walls. How many evils have inclosed me round! Milton. 2. To put within a case,
• SENTENCER
  One who pronounced a sentence or condemnation.
• CHURCHLINESS
  Regard for the church.
• FRIENDLINESS
  The condition or quality of being friendly. Sir P. Sidney.
• LORDLINESS
  The state or quality of being lordly. Shak.
• STEELINESS
  The quality of being steely.
• CHILLINESS
  1. A state or sensation of being chilly; a disagreeable sensation of coldness. 2. A moderate degree of coldness; disagreeable coldness or rawness; as, the chilliness of the air. 3. Formality; lack of warmth.
• POLYTECHNICAL
  Polytechnic.
• SOUTHERNLINESS
  Southerliness.
• MELANCHOLINESS
  The state or quality of being melancholy. Hallywell.
• TRICURVATE
  Curved in three directions; as, a tricurvate spicule (see Illust. of Spicule).
• DEATHLINESS
  The quality of being deathly; deadliness. Southey.
• KINGLINESS
  The state or quality of being kingly.
• BEASTLINESS
  The state or quality of being beastly.
• BRISTLINESS
  The quality or state of having bristles.
• POORLINESS
  The quality or state of being poorly; ill health.
• ZOLLNER'S LINES
  Parallel lines that are made to appear convergent or divergent by means of oblique intersections.
• SLOVENLINESS
  The quality or state of being slovenly.