parenthesize
|pə-ˈrɛn-θə-saɪz|
/pəˈrɛnθəˌsaɪz/
set aside as an aside / enclose as an insertion
Etymology
'parenthesize' is formed in English from the noun 'parenthesis' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein' via Latin/French).
'parenthesis' comes from Medieval Latin 'parenthesis', from Greek 'parentithenai' (παρεντίθεναι) meaning 'to put in beside' (from 'para-' 'beside' + 'en' 'in' + 'tithenai' 'to place'); English then formed the verb 'parenthesize' by adding '-ize' to 'parenthesis'.
Originally the Greek root referred to 'placing beside' or an insertion; over time it became the noun 'parenthesis' meaning an inserted remark or punctuation, and the English verb 'parenthesize' came to mean 'to enclose in parentheses' or 'to add as an incidental remark.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to enclose (a word, phrase, or sentence) in parentheses ( ) or to set off as a parenthetical remark.
Please parenthesize the optional clause so readers know it is not required.
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Verb 2
to add as an incidental remark or aside; to treat something as a digression or subordinate comment.
The author parenthesized a brief anecdote about his childhood in the middle of the chapter.
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Last updated: 2025/10/08 19:23