periphrasis

[ puh-rif-ruh-sis ]

/ pəˈrɪf rə sɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR periphrasis ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Also per·i·phrase

[per-uh-freyz] /ˈpɛr əˌfreɪz/.

Origin of periphrasis

1525–35; < Latin < Greek períphrasis. See peri-, phrase, -sis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for periphrasis

It is to be hoped this new word may be admitted, as the laying of eggs cannot otherwise be expressed without a periphrasis.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. I (of 4)|William Kirby
His classical fancy, his elegant turn for periphrasis and his venomous sting alike made him the idol of that urbane age.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6|Various
The greatest is the making the very dispensation objected to, the periphrasis of his title.
The Works of Alexander Pope, Volume 2 (of 10)|Alexander Pope
None, I suppose, would dispute the fact that periphrasis tends much to sublimity.
On the Sublime|Longinus

Owing to the vagueness of the word this must be translated here by a periphrasis such as "an individual is formed."
Harvey's Views on the Use of the Circulation of the Blood|John G. Curtis

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for periphrasis

periphrasis

1530s, from Latin periphrasis "circumlocution," from Greek periphrasis, from periphrazein "speak in a roundabout way," from peri- "round about" (see peri-) + phrazein "to express" (see phrase (n.)).