What is "paraleipsis"

Preterition \Pre`ter*i"tion\ (?; 277), n. [L. praeteritio: cf. F. pr['e]t['e]rition.]

1. The act of passing, or going past; the state of being past.
   --Bp. Hall.

2. (Rhet.) A figure by which, in pretending to pass over anything, a summary mention of it is made; as, ``I will not say, he is valiant, he is learned, he is just.'' Called also paraleipsis.

3. (Law) The omission by a testator of some one of his heirs who is entitled to a portion.
   --Bouvier.

n. (context rhetoric linguistics English) A figure of speech in which one pretends to ignore or omit something by actually mentioning it, as in: "I will not speak of my adversary's scandalous venality and rapacity, his brutal conduct, his treachery and malice".

1. n. suggesting by deliberately concise treatment that much of significance is omitted [syn: paralepsis, paralipsis, preterition]

2. [also: paraleipses (pl)]