Parenthetically

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈpæɹənˌθɛtɪkli/

Definitions

1. In a way that introduces supplementary details or clarifications typically shown in parentheses
2. In a fashion that interjects additional context or clarifying remarks often encased in brackets
3. Done by inserting extra comments or explanations enclosed in round brackets

Etymology: "Parenthetically" is a simple formation: the adjective "parenthetical" with the adverbial suffix "-ly" added to it. The adjective "parenthetical" comes from "parenthesis," a Greek-derived term for an inserted clause, which is built from "para-" (beside) and "en-thesis" (a putting in). The suffix "-ly" has a longer history: it descends from an old Germanic word for "body" or "form," which gave the sense "having the form or appearance of," and that root eventually weakened into the familiar adverb ending found in words like "quickly" and "happily." Because "-ly" is so productive, adding it to an adjective like "parenthetical" was an ordinary step in English, and "parenthetically" is best understood as a plain description of manner: the action is performed in the way a parenthesis is, by slipping an aside into the middle of a sentence. A writer who speaks parenthetically is adding a remark that could be removed without breaking the sentence.

Synonyms: incidentally, additionally