aposiopesis

ap·o·si·o·pe·sis

noun \ˌa-pə-ˌsī-ə-ˈpē-səs\

plural ap·o·si·o·pe·ses\-ˌsēz\

Definition of APOSIOPESIS

: the leaving of a thought incomplete usually by a sudden breaking off (as in “his behavior was—but I blush to mention that”)

— ap·o·si·o·pet·ic \-ˈpe-tik\ adjective

Origin of APOSIOPESIS

Late Latin, from Greek aposiōpēsis, from aposiōpan to be fully silent, from apo- + siōpan to be silent, from siōpē silence

First Known Use: 1555