Apophasis \A*poph"a*sis\ ([.a]*p[o^]f"[.a]*s[i^]s), n. [Gr.
'apo`fasis denial, fr. 'apofa`nai to speak out, to deny.]
(Rhet.)
A figure by which a speaker formally declines to take notice
of a favorable point, but in such a manner as to produce the
effect desired. [For example, see Mark Antony's oration.
--Shak., Julius C[ae]sar, iii. 2.]
[1913 Webster]