elision

noun

eli·​sion i-ˈli-zhən 

1

a

: the use of a speech form that lacks a final or initial sound which a variant speech form has (such as 's instead of is in there's)

b

: the omission of an unstressed vowel or syllable in a verse to achieve a uniform metrical pattern

2

: the act or an instance of omitting something : omission

Synonyms

• deletion
• omission

Examples of elision in a Sentence

unfortunately, when the book was condensed, some of the elisions rendered major plot developments incomprehensible

Recent Examples on the Web

Because Okuyama constructs the film like a memory, some elision and obliqueness are to be expected. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2024

Sam believed that the war in Gaza had exposed the contradictions, elisions, and hypocrisy of American institutions—not only the government and academia but the press. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 3 May 2024

The history of slavery is one of elisions and silences, of moving on. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024

The movie proceeds by way of hints and winks, understatements and elisions, that are part of a transaction between director and audience: with a word to the wise, the audience gets the idea of Lenny and Felicia that Cooper wants to put out. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin elision-, elisio, from Latin elidere

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1a