GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Ellipsis (ĕl‑lĭpˈsĭs), n.; pl. Ellipses (ĕl‑lĭpˈsēz). [L., fr. Gr. ἔλλειψις a leaving, defect, fr. ἐλλείπειν to leave in, fall short; ἐν in + λείπειν to leave. See In, and Loan, and cf. Ellipse.]
   1. (Gram.) Omission; a figure of syntax, by which one or more words, which are obviously understood, are omitted; as, “the virtues I admire, for, the virtues which I admire”.
   
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   2. (Geom.) An ellipse. [Obs.]
   
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   3. (Printing) a printing symbol, usually three periods in a row (. . .), indicating the omission of some part of a text; -- used commonly in quotations, so as to suppress words not essential to the meaning.  A long dash (---) and three asterisks (* * *) are sometimes used with the same meaning.
   
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