A word, phrase, or sentence, by way of comment or explanation, inserted in, or attached to, a sentence which would be grammatically complete without it. It is usually inclosed within curved lines (see def. 2 below), or dashes. "Seldom mentioned without a derogatory parenthesis." Sir T. Browne. Don't suffer every occasional thought to carry you away into a long parenthesis. Watts.
One of the curved lines () which inclose a parenthetic word or phrase.
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