Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PA-REN'THE-SIS, n. [Gr. παρενθεσις; παρα and εντιθημι, insert.]

A sentence, or certain words inserted in a sentence, which interrupt the sense or natural connection of words, but serve to explain or qualify the sense of the principal sentence. The parenthesis is usually included in hooks or curved lines, thus, ( ). These officers, whom they still call bishops, are to be elected to a provision comparatively mean, through the same arts (that is, electioneering arts,) by men of all religious tenets that are known or can be invented. – Burke. Do not suffer every occasional thought to carry you away into a long parenthesis. – Watts.