| apophasis |
| Definition: A general name for a set of figures of speech — such as paralipsis — where the speaker mentions something by claiming that he or she won't mention it. |
| Example:
She is talented, not to mention beautiful.
Note: The above is an example of the type of apophasis called paralipsis. |
| Etymology: The word derives from the Greek apophanai, to say no (from the Greek apo, away + phanai, to speak). |
| OED: The word's first OED citation is from 1657: "apophasis … a kind of an Irony, whereby we deny that we say or doe that which we especially say or doe." (J. Smith Myst. Rhet. 164 Apophasis) |