periphrase
Meanings
noun
- The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution.
verb
- To express by periphrase or circumlocution.
- To use circumlocution.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
From Latin periphrasis from Ancient Greek περίφρασις (períphrasis), from περιφράζομαι (periphrázomai, “to consider all sides of an issue”), from περί (perí, “around”) + φράζω (phrázō, “to show, point out”). See phrase.
Synonyms
Derived words
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