Ellipsis /(ĕl*lĭp"sĭs)/

pl. Ellipses ((ĕl*lĭp"sēz))

1. 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. (Gram.)
2. An ellipse. (Geom.) [Obs.]
3. 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. (Printing)