Definition of APOPHASIS

apophasis

Plural: apophases

Noun

  • mentioning something by saying it will not be mentioned
  • An allusion to something by denying that it will be mentioned.
  • A process of arriving at knowledge by statements of denial; particularly, developing a concept of God through negative assertions about his nature.

Origin / Etymology

Via Late Latin apophasis from Ancient Greek ἀπόφασις (apóphasis, “denial, negation”) from ἀπο- (apo-, “away, from, off”) + φάσις (phásis, “statement, proposition”) from φημί (phēmí, “to speak”) from Proto-Hellenic *pʰā́mā from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂; whence Latin fārī, cognate to fame, fable.

Synonyms

apophatic theology, paralipsis, parasiopesis, praeteritio, preterition, via negativa

Antonyms

cataphasis, via affirmativa

Scrabble Score: 16

apophasis is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
apophasis is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
apophasis is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 0

apophasis is not valid in Words With Friends