circumbendibus

[sur-kuhm-ben-duh-buhs]

noun

Informal.

plural

circumbendibuses 

1. a roundabout way; circumlocution.

circumbendibus

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈbɛndɪbəs /

noun

1. humorous,  a circumlocution

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumbendibus¹

1675–85; circum- + bend ¹ + Latin -ibus ablative plural ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumbendibus¹

C17: coined from _circum- + _bend ¹ , with a pseudo-Latin ending

Example Sentences

And homeward, by the short small chimes of day, With many a circumbendibus to spare, For instance, twice round Finsbury Square, To use a fitting phrase, he wound his way.

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Related Words

• deviation 
• diversion