elision

noun

eli·​sion i-ˈli-zhən How to pronounce elision (audio)
1
a
: the use of a speech form that lacks a final or initial sound which a variant speech form has (such as 's instead of is in there's)
b
: the omission of an unstressed vowel or syllable in a verse to achieve a uniform metrical pattern
2
: the act or an instance of omitting something : omission

Examples of elision in a Sentence

unfortunately, when the book was condensed, some of the elisions rendered major plot developments incomprehensible
Recent Examples on the Web Threaded with observations about the nature of Vietnam’s colonial history and its aftermath, the novel is also an appraisal of memory and elision. The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 But the surprising elisions work to exaggerate Bonnie and Jim’s circumstances, putting dents in Vance’s version of their plucky, up-by-the-bootstraps story. Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2024 Because Okuyama constructs the film like a memory, some elision and obliqueness are to be expected. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2024 Sam believed that the war in Gaza had exposed the contradictions, elisions, and hypocrisy of American institutions—not only the government and academia but the press. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 3 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for elision 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elision.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin elision-, elisio, from Latin elidere

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of elision was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near elision

Cite this Entry

“Elision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elision. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.

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