Parenthesis

Pronunciation: par-en'-the-sis

Alternate Spelling: parathesis

Definition

Insertion of a verbal unit that interrupts normal syntactical flow.

Examples

The garrulous Polonius from Hamlet can't help but interrupt himself as he speaks to King Claudius about Prince Hamlet's behavior toward his daughter, adding a parenthesis to his own parenthesis: But what might you think, When I had seen this hot love on the wing