PERIPHRASE
Etymology
Noun
periphrase (countable and uncountable, plural periphrases)
(rhetoric) The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution.
Synonyms
• periphrasis
Verb
periphrase (third-person singular simple present periphrases, present participle periphrasing, simple past and past participle periphrased)
(transitive) To express by periphrase or circumlocution.
(intransitive) To use circumlocution.
Source: Wiktionary
Per"i*phrase, n. Etym: [L. periphrasis, Gr. périphrase. See Phrase.] (Rhet.)
Definition: The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution. "To describe by enigmatic periphrases." De Quincey.
Per"i*phrase, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Periphrased; p. pr. & vb. n. Periphrasing.] Etym: [Cf. F. périphraser.]
Definition: To express by periphrase or circumlocution.
Per"i*phrase, v. i.
Definition: To use circumlocution.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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Word of the Day
21 April 2025
ENCYCLOPEDIA
(noun) a reference work (often in several volumes) containing articles on various topics (often arranged in alphabetical order) dealing with the entire range of human knowledge or with some particular specialty
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