" APOSIOPESIS (APOSIOPE'SIS) n.s.[ from after, and rixp to be silent.] A form of speech, by which the speaker, through some affection, as sorrow, bashfulness, fear, anger, or vehemency, breaks off his speech before it be all ended. A figure, when, speaking of a thing, we yet seem to conceal it, though indeed we aggravate it; or when the course of the sentence begun is so stayed, as thereby some part of the sentence not being uttered, may be understood; as, I might say much more, but modesty commands silence.Smith’sRhetorick. "
― Samuel Johnson , A Dictionary of the English Language (Complete and Unabridged in Two Volumes), Volume One
![Samuel Johnson quote : APOSIOPESIS (APOSIOPE'SIS) n.s.[ from after, and rixp to be silent.] A form of speech, by which the speaker, through some affection, as sorrow, bashfulness, fear, anger, or vehemency, breaks off his speech before it be all ended. A figure, when, speaking of a thing, we yet seem to conceal it, though indeed we aggravate it; or when the course of the sentence begun is so stayed, as thereby some part of the sentence not being uttered, may be understood; as, I might say much more, but modesty commands silence.Smith’sRhetorick.](/image/1702546.jpg)