ellipsis

noun4

1. •
   A mark consisting of multiple full stops (with or without spaces), used to indicate omitted, missing, or illegible words; or (in mathematics) that a pattern continues.

   • The ellipsis in 1, 2, 3, ..., 8, 9 means that the numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7 are not explicitly included, but are considered to be part of the pattern.
   • The ellipsis in 0.333... means that the number is a repeating decimal, having threes that go on forever.
2. •
   The omission of scenes in a film that do not advance the plot.

   • It was now possible for writers and directors to cut scenes that did not further the plot; called "ellipses" by filmmakers. — 2002
3. •
   (rhetoric) The omission from a clause of a word or phrase that is nevertheless inferred using the context of the remaining element.
4. •
   (no longer used) An ellipse.