periphrasis
noun
the use of an unnecessarily long or roundabout form of expression; circumlocution.
periphrases
-
pluralof periphrasis.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
Later, śḏm-f is ordinarily expressed by periphrases; but by the loss of n, śḏm-n-f became itself sdm-f, which is the ordinary past in demotic.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 1 "Edwardes" to "Ehrenbreitstein" by Various
In ordinary conversation do not seek periphrases, subtleties, or figures of speech.
From George Washington's Rules of Civility Traced to their Sources and Restored by Moncure D. Conway by Moncure Daniel Conway
This, I must repeat, is the true way of learning the meaning of words; and leaves impressions, which no dictionary, with its periphrases and mere approximations to synonymes can give.
From Guide to the Kindergarten and Intermediate Class and Moral Culture of Infancy. by Mary E. Mann
But Mr. Frazer has remarked that periphrases for sacred beasts, like ‘Big Feet’ for Bear, are not uncommon.
From Modern Mythology by Andrew Lang
The piece was written in the style of a tragic serial story: abstract phrases, bureaucratic epithets, academic periphrases.
From Jean Christophe: in Paris The Market-Place, Antoinette, the House by Gilbert Cannan
