parenthèse

parenthesis, bracket

noun pah-rahn-TENZ Rare

Origin: from Greek parenthesis, 'insertion'

Also means

digression, aside

Usage Note

Parenthèse is used both for the typographic symbol (opening parenthèse ouvrante, closing parenthèse fermante) and for a verbal or written digression. The common phrase entre parenthèses means 'in parentheses' but also 'by the way' or 'incidentally'. Fermons la parenthèse ('let's close the parenthesis') signals a return to the main topic in speech.

Examples

"Mettez ce chiffre entre parenthèses."

Natural Translation

Put that number in parentheses.

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