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periphrases
Variant of periphrasis
periphrasis
definition
pe·riph·ra·sis (pə rif′rə sis)
noun pl. periphrases -·ses′ (-sēz′)
- the use of many words where one or a few would do; roundabout way of speaking or writing; circumlocution
- an expression that is an instance of this
Etymology: L < Gr < peri-, around + phrazein, to speak
Also periphrase per′i·phrase′ (per′i frāz′)
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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