Periphrasis Definition
pə-rĭfrə-sĭs
periphrases
noun
periphrases
The use of circumlocution.
American Heritage
The use of many words where one or a few would do; roundabout way of speaking or writing; circumlocution.
Webster's New World
An expression that is an instance of this.
Webster's New World
A circumlocution.
American Heritage
The use of a longer expression instead of a shorter one with a similar meaning, for example "I am going to" instead of "I will".
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Origin of Periphrasis
-
Latin from Greek from periphrazein to express periphrastically peri- peri- phrazein to say gwhren- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Ancient Greek περίφρασις (periphrasis).
From Wiktionary
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