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   parenthesis

   /pəˈrɛnθɪsɪs/

   noun

   • 1. a word or phrase inserted as an explanation or afterthought into a passage which is grammatically complete without it, in writing usually marked off by brackets, dashes, or commas: "in a challenging parenthesis, Wordsworth comments on the evil effects of contemporary developments"
   • ▪ a pair of round brackets ( ) used to mark off a parenthetical word or phrase: "the stage number is added in parentheses to the name or formula"
   • 2. an interlude or interval: "the three months of coalition government were a lamentable political parenthesis"

   Word Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek, from parentithenai ‘put in beside’.

   Scrabble Points: 16

   • P

     3

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

   • H

     4

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • I

     1

   • S

     1

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