metaphrase
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
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to translate, especially literally.
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to change the phrasing or literary form of.
noun
verb
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to alter or manipulate the wording of
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to translate literally
Etymology
Origin of metaphrase
First recorded in 1600–10, metaphrase is from the Greek word metáphrasis a paraphrasing, change of phrasing. See meta-, phrase
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But most men, little recking what a small portion of the original they were reading, satisfied themselves with the Anglo French epitome and metaphrase.
From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 01 by Sir Richard Francis Burton
All translation, I suppose, may be reduced to these three heads—First, that of metaphrase, or turning an author, word by word, and line by line, from one language into another.
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 354, April 1845 by Various
The way I have taken is not so strait as metaphrase, nor so loose as paraphrase; some things, too, I have omitted, and sometimes have added of my own.
From Discourses on Satire and on Epic Poetry by John Dryden
"Translation, therefore," says Dryden, "is not so loose as paraphrase, nor so close as metaphrase."
From Lives of the Poets, Volume 1 by Samuel Johnson
Hear Dryden prosing away upon paraphrase, and metaphrase, and imitation, in his very best style.
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 354, April 1845 by Various
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