el·lip·sis 
(ĭ-lĭpsĭs)
(ĭ-lĭpsĭs)n. pl. el·lip·ses (-sēz)
1.
a. The omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction but not necessary for understanding.
b. An example of such omission.
2. A mark or series of marks ( ... or * * * , for example) used in writing or printing to indicate an omission, especially of letters or words.
[Latin ellīpsis, from Greek elleipsis, from elleipein, to fall short; see ELLIPSE.]