Pa-rĕn’the-sĭs, n.

n.; pl. PA-RĔN’THE-SĒS. [Gr. παρένθεσις, from παρεντιθέναι, to put in beside, to insert, from παρά, beside, and ἐντιθέναι, to put in, from ἐν, in, and τιθέναι, to put, place; Fr. parenthèse, It. parentesi, Sp. parentesis, Pr. & Pg. parenthesis.]

1Sense 1. A word or sentence inserted, by way of comment or explanation, in the midst of another sentence, of which it is independent in construction, and which is complete without it. It is usually inclosed within curved lines, but sometimes within dashes. The following sentence contains a parenthesis.

These officers, whom they still call bishops, are to be elected to a provision comparatively mean, through the same arts (that is, electioneering arts), by men of all religious tenets that are known or can be invented. Burke.

2Sense 2. (Print.) The sign of a parenthesis, thus ( ).