paréntesis

parenthesis

noun pah-REN-teh-sees Rare

Origin: From Greek parenthesis, via Latin.

Also means

digression

Usage Note

Paréntesis is invariable in the plural — los paréntesis — because it ends in an unstressed vowel + s. It refers both to the punctuation mark ( ) and to a figurative 'aside' or interruption (hacer un paréntesis = 'to take a break/digress'). Written with a tonic accent on the first e.

Examples

"Pon la fecha entre paréntesis."

Natural Translation

Put the date in parentheses.

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