cir·cum·lo·cu·tion   (sûr'kəm-lō-kyōō'shən)    n.   The use of unnecessarily wordy and indirect language. Evasion in speech or writing. A roundabout expression. [Middle English circumlocucioun, from Latin circumlocūtiō, circumlocūtiōn-, from circumlocūtus, past participle of circumloquī : circum-, circum- + loquī, to speak; see tolkw- in Indo-European roots.] cir'cum·loc'u·to'ri·ly (-lŏk'yə-tôr'ə-lē, -tōr'-) adv., cir'cum·loc'u·to'ry (-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.

Circumlocution

Cir`cum*lo*cu"tion\, n. [L. circumlocutio, fr. circumloqui, -locutus, to make use of circumlocution; circum + loqui to speak. See Loquacious.] The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language; a periphrase.

the plain Billingsgate way of calling names . . . would save abundance of time lost by circumlocution. --Swift.

Circumlocution office, a term of ridicule for a governmental office where business is delayed by passing through the hands of different officials.

circumlocution [(sur-kuhm-loh-kyooh-shuhn)]

Roundabout speech or writing: “The driveway was not unlike that military training device known as an obstacle course” is a circumlocution for “The driveway resembled an obstacle course.” Circumlocution comes from Latin words meaning “speaking around.”

circumlocution 

circumlocution

the use of a longer phrasing in place of a possible shorter form of expression; a roundabout or indirect manner of writing or speaking. In literature periphrasis is sometimes used for comic effect, as illustrated by Charles Dickens in the speech of the character Wilkins Micawber, who appears in David Copperfield:"Under the impression," said Mr. Micawber, "that your peregrinations in this metropolis have not as yet been extensive, and that you might have some difficulty in penetrating the arcana of the Modern Babylon in the direction of the City Road-in short," said Mr. Micawber, in another burst of confidence, "that you might lose yourself-I shall be happy to call this evening, and instal you in the knowledge of the nearest way."

Learn more about circumlocution with a free trial on Britannica.com.