eclipsis
LowFormal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
The omission of a sound or syllable in the middle of a word, or the omission of a word or phrase from a text.
1. In rhetoric and grammar: a figure of speech involving the omission of one or more words, understood from the context. 2. In astronomy and geometry: the obscuring of one celestial body by another.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Predominantly a literary, rhetorical, or linguistic term. In modern use, 'ellipsis' is far more common for the linguistic omission sense, while 'eclipse' is standard for the astronomical sense. 'Eclipsis' is often seen as an archaic or highly specialized variant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning or frequency. The word is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Archaising, scholarly, or technical in both.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. 'Ellipsis' is the overwhelmingly preferred term for the grammatical concept.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + employs/uses + eclipsis + [to + infinitive phrase]The + eclipsis + of + [noun phrase] + is + [adjective]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this low-frequency word]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in advanced literary criticism, rhetoric, or historical linguistics discussions.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
May appear in specialised texts on rhetoric, classical studies, or grammar.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [The verb is 'eclipse'. 'Eclipsis' is a noun.]
American English
- [The verb is 'eclipse'. 'Eclipsis' is a noun.]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form.]
American English
- [No adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- [No common adjective form. 'Elliptical' is used.]
American English
- [No common adjective form. 'Elliptical' is used.]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [This word is not suitable for A2 level.]
- [This word is rarely, if ever, taught at B1 level.]
- The poet's use of eclipsis made the line more powerful by leaving something unsaid.
- In the manuscript, an eclipsis of several words has confused historians.
- The rhetorical device of eclipsis, where crucial verbs are omitted, creates a haunting sense of incompleteness in the text.
- Scholars debated whether the fragmented clause was a result of scribal error or a deliberate eclipsis employed by the author.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ECLIPSE' where the sun is OMITTED (eclipsed) by the moon. 'Eclipsis' is the OMISSION of a word or sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
OMISSION IS AN ECLIPSE (something is covered or left out, making the whole incomplete).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'эклиптика' (the ecliptic).
- Do not translate as 'затмение' (eclipse). The correct Russian term for the linguistic concept is 'эллипсис' (ellipsis).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'eclipsis' when 'ellipsis' is meant (the latter is standard).
- Confusing it with 'ellipsis' (the punctuation mark '...').
- Pronouncing it like 'eclipse' without the final '-sis'.
Practice
Quiz
In modern linguistics, which term has almost entirely replaced 'eclipsis'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The punctuation mark '...' is called an ellipsis (or suspension points). The rhetorical/grammatical term for omission is also 'ellipsis'. 'Eclipsis' is an archaic/specialist synonym for this concept, not for the dots.
Almost never. Use 'ellipsis'. 'Eclipsis' is only appropriate when quoting or discussing historical texts on rhetoric where that specific term is used, or to demonstrate specialised knowledge.
Elision typically refers to the omission of a sound or syllable in pronunciation (e.g., 'I'm' for 'I am'). Eclipsis (or ellipsis) refers to the omission of words or phrases from a sentence where the meaning is still recoverable from context.
No. The standard term for the astronomical event is 'eclipse'. 'Eclipsis' is not used in modern astronomy. Its primary, though rare, use is in language studies.