Ellipsis

Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 4: Dionysius to Friction, p. 305

Ellipsis (Gr., 'omission') is a term used in Grammar and Rhetoric, to signify the omission of a word necessary to complete the expression or sentence in its usual form. The object of ellipsis is shortness and impressiveness; accordingly, it prevails in proverbs. Ellipses are used in all languages, but the same forms of ellipses are not common to all.

Source scan(s): p. 0314