1. The omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction but not necessary for understanding; an example of such omission.
2. A mark or series of marks ( . . . or * * * or - - -, for example) used in writing or printing to indicate an omission; especially, of letters or words.
3. The omission from a sentence or other construction of one or more words that would complete or clarify the construction, as the omission of "who are", "while I am", or "while we are" as in this sentence: "I like to interview people sitting down"; instead of "I like to interview who are sitting down."
4. The omission of one or more items from a construction in order to avoid repeating the identical or equivalent items that are in a preceding or following construction; such as, the omission of "been to Paris" from the second clause of "I've been to Paris, but they haven't."
5. The omission of one or more words from a sentence, especially when what is omitted can be understood from the context. The omission of "go" at the end of "I went but my wife didn't" ("I went but my wife didn't go") is another example of an ellipsis.