circumlocution Hear it!

circumlocution Definition

circum·lo·cu·tion (-lō kyo̵̅o̅′s̸hən)

noun

  1. a roundabout, indirect, or lengthy way of expressing something; periphrasis
  2. an instance of this

Etymology: ME circumlocucioun < L circumlocutio: see circum- & locution

circumlocution Related Forms
cir′·cum·loc′·u·to′ry (-läk′yə tôr′ē) adjective
circumlocution Synonyms

circumlocution

n.

periphrasis, verbal evasion, redundancy, rambling; see wordiness.

circumlocution Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • use: It was a modest circumlocution used to avoid the use of " I " which might have seemed arrogant.
circumlocution Quotes

Circumlocution, n. A literary trick whereby the writer who has nothing to say breaks it gently to the reader.

—Bierce, Ambrose Gwinett

   Whatever was required to be done, the Circumlocution Office was beforehand with all the public departments in the art of perceivingöHOW NOT TO DO IT.

—Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam