Noun: aposiopesis (aposiopeses) ,a-pu,sI-u'pee-sis
- Breaking off in the middle of a sentence (as by writers of realistic conversations)
"The character's use of aposiopesis conveyed his hesitation: 'I just don't know if I can—'"
Derived forms: aposiopeses
Type of: rhetorical device
Encyclopedia: Aposiopesis