Pronunciation: [ɪlˈɪpsɪz] (IPA) 
Ellipses is a word that describes a series of three dots, and is pronounced /ɪˈlɪpsiːz/. It's important to remember that the first and last letters, 'e' and 's', are both pronounced. The second syllable is stressed, and the 'i' is a short vowel sound. The 'p' is pronounced as a soft 'p', or almost as a 'b', and the 's' is unvoiced. Remembering the phonetic pronunciation can help ensure the correct spelling of the word "ellipses."
Ellipses, also referred to as "ellipsis," is a punctuation mark that consists of three consecutive periods (…), commonly used in writing and printing to indicate the omission of one or more words, a pause, or a trailing off of thought. It is derived from the Greek word "elleipsis," meaning "falling short" or "omission." The ellipsis is typically used in various forms of writing, including literature, journalism, academic papers, and informal communication.
In its most common usage, ellipses indicate the omission of words from a direct quotation or dialogue, where the speaker intentionally leaves out certain words that are not essential for comprehending the meaning. This punctuation mark serves to create suspense or to indicate a trailing or unfinished thought. For example, in a sentence such as "She packed her bags, left her home, and walked away…," the ellipsis implies an unfinished action or leaves room for interpretation.
Moreover, ellipses can also be employed to indicate a pause or hesitation in speech, suggesting that there is more that could be said but is intentionally left unsaid. In this context, ellipses can be used to convey emotions, such as uncertainty, surprise, or suspense.
Overall, ellipses are a versatile punctuation mark that provides writers with a tool to indicate omission, create a sense of anticipation, or reflect the spoken language's natural rhythms and pauses, contributing to the overall richness and nuance of written communication.
An oval figure; a figure formed by cutting a cone or sugar-loaf in an oblique direction across its length; in a sentence, the omission of a word or words obviously understood.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "ellipses" has its roots in Greek. It comes from the Greek word "ελλείψις" (elleipsis), which means "omission" or "falling short". This Greek word is derived from the verb "ἐλάσσων" (elasson), meaning "to fall short" or "to diminish". The term "ellipses" entered the English language in the late 16th century and was initially used in the context of rhetoric and grammar to refer to the omission of words or a series of dots used to indicate such omission. Over time, the term has become more commonly associated with a series of three dots used in writing to indicate a pause, an unfinished thought, or to create suspense.
