Ellipsis
Ellipsis (el*lip"sis) , noun
[Latin, from Greek 'e`lleipsis a leaving, defect, from 'ellei`pein to leave in, fall short; 'en in + lei`pein to leave. See In, and Loan, and compare Ellipse.]
1.
(Grammar) Omission; a figure of syntax, by which one or more words, which are obviously understood, are omitted; as, the virtues I admire, for, the virtues which I admire.
2.
(Geometry) An ellipse. [Obsolete]
3.
(Printing) a printing symbol, usually three periods in a row (...), indicating the omission of some part of a text; -- used commonly in quotations, so as to suppress words not essential to the meaning. A long dash (---) and three asterisks (* * *) are sometimes used with the same meaning.