terminology - Name of 3 dots to indicate a pause in speech


Answers to this question show that it is quite common to use the 'ellipsis' (three dots) in English writing to indicate a pause in speech for reasons of "confusion, insecurity, distress, or uncertainty".


I agree with this usage, but is it still appropriate to call the 3 dots an 'ellipsis' in this case? I generally associate 'ellipsis' with omission; indeed, that's its primary meaning, with the reference to the typographical 3 dots being secondary. Is there a better word or phrase to use to refer to the 3 dots being used to indicate a pause in speech (either real as in quotes, or abstract as in written prose)?



Answer



The better phrase to use to refer to the 3 dots being used to indicate a pause in speech is Suspension point, as we can read on Wikipedia:



The triple-dot punctuation mark is also called a suspension point, points of ellipsis, periods of ellipsis, or colloquially, dot-dot-dot.



However, Collins English Dictionaries defines suspension point as follow:



Suspension point - mainly US one of a group of dots, usually three, used in written material to indicate the omission of a word or words. Compare ellipsis (sense 2)*.



So, perhaps, the better phrase may be suspension points (note the 's' at the end).


* Ellipsis - Also called eclipsisomission of parts of a word or sentence printing a sequence of three dots (...) indicating an omission in text.


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