periphrasis
[ puh-rif-ruh-sis ]
/ pəˈrɪf rə sɪs /
noun, plural pe·riph·ra·ses [puh-rif-ruh-seez] /pəˈrɪf rəˌsiz/.
the use of an unnecessarily long or roundabout form of expression; circumlocution.
an expression phrased in such fashion.
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Which punctuation mark is best for this sentence? "Can I watch a movie __"
Also per·i·phrase [per-uh-freyz] /ˈpɛr əˌfreɪz/.
Words nearby periphrasis
peripheral vision, peripheralism, peripheric, periphery, periphlebitis, periphrasis, periphrastic, periphyton, periplasm, periporitis, periproct
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for periphrasis
British Dictionary definitions for periphrasis
periphrasis
/ (pəˈrɪfrəsɪs) /
noun plural -rases (-rəˌsiːz)
a roundabout way of expressing something; circumlocution
an expression of this kind
Word Origin for periphrasis
C16: via Latin from Greek, from peri- + phrazein to declare
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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