periphrasis
the use of an unnecessarily long or roundabout form of expression; circumlocution.
an expression phrased in such fashion.
Origin of periphrasis
1- Also per·i·phrase [per-uh-freyz]. /ˈpɛr əˌfreɪz/.
Words Nearby periphrasis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use periphrasis in a sentence
In Modern French the pronominal inversion (the substantive being prefixed) or a verbal periphrasis must be used—Saul est-il?
Periphras′tic, -al, containing or expressed by periphrasis or circumlocution.
Be it remarked that this periphrasis indicated his mother; and that the bread he alluded to is made with a species of leaven.
Cedar Creek | Elizabeth Hely Walshe"Prop of sea-waves' fire," a periphrasis for a woman that bears gold on her arm.
The story of Burnt Njal | Anonymous"He that hoardeth ocean's fire," a periphrasis for man, Hauskuld of Whiteness.
The story of Burnt Njal | Anonymous
British Dictionary definitions for periphrasis
/ (pəˈrɪfrəsɪs) /
a roundabout way of expressing something; circumlocution
an expression of this kind
Origin of periphrasis
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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