paralipsis

Definition

A figure of speech in which one pretends to ignore or omit something by actually mentioning it.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek παράλειψις (paráleipsis, “omission”), from παραλείπω (paraleípō, “I pass over”), from παρά (pará, “by, near”) + λείπω (leípō, “I leave”).

Example Sentences

• "These negatives are a paraleipsis: what cannot be done to the soul can be done to the body."
• "Oxenberg tells us twice that she does not talk about the sister who died. She fools no one with this paralipsis […]."
• "What's left to consider? I am loath to bring up Trump's paralipsis."