Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
Definition of paraphrase - 8 dictionary results

par⋅a⋅phrase

  [par-uh-freyz] noun, verb, -phrased, -phras⋅ing.
Use paraphrase in a Sentence
–noun
1. a restatement of a text or passage giving the meaning in another form, as for clearness; rewording.
2. the act or process of restating or rewording.
–verb (used with object)
3. to render the meaning of in a paraphrase: to paraphrase a technical paper for lay readers.
–verb (used without object)
4. to make a paraphrase or paraphrases.
Origin:
1540–50; < MF < L paraphrasis < Gk paráphrasis. See para- 1 , phrase

Related forms:
par⋅a⋅phras⋅a⋅ble, adjective
par⋅a⋅phras⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. See translation. 3. summarize; explain.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To paraphrase
par·a·phrase   (pār'ə-frāz')   
n.  
  1. A restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify meaning.
  2. The restatement of texts in other words as a studying or teaching device.
v.   par·a·phrased, par·a·phras·ing, par·a·phras·es

v.   tr.
To restate in a paraphrase.
v.   intr.
To compose a paraphrase.

[French, from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek, from paraphrazein, to paraphrase : para-, alongside; see para-1 + phrazein, to show, explain; see gwhren- in Indo-European roots.]
par'a·phras'a·ble adj., par'a·phras'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Paraphrase

Par"a*phrase\, n. [L. paraphrasis, Gr. ?, from ? to say the same thing in other words; ? beside + ? to speak: cf. F. paraphrase. See Para-, and Phrase.] A restatement of a text, passage, or work, expressing the meaning of the original in another form, generally for the sake of its clearer and fuller exposition; a setting forth the signification of a text in other and ampler terms; a free translation or rendering; -- opposed to metaphrase.

In paraphrase, or translation with latitude, the author's words are not so strictly followed as his sense. --Dryden.

Excellent paraphrases of the Psalms of David. --I. Disraeli.

His sermons a living paraphrase upon his practice. --Sowth.

The Targums are also called the Chaldaic or Aramaic Paraphrases. --Shipley.

Paraphrase

Par"a*phrase\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paraphrased; p. pr. & vb. n. Paraphrasing.] To express, interpret, or translate with latitude; to give the meaning of a passage in other language.

We are put to construe and paraphrase our own words. --Bp. Stillingfleet.

Paraphrase

Par"a*phrase\, v. i. To make a paraphrase.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : paraphrase
Spanish: parafrasear,
German: umschreiben,
Japanese: 言い換える
More Translations »

paraphrase

A restatement of speech or writing that retains the basic meaning while changing the words. A paraphrase often clarifies the original statement by putting it into words that are more easily understood.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

paraphrase  (n.)
1548, from M.Fr. paraphrase (1525), from L. paraphrasis "a paraphrase," from Gk. paraphrasis, from paraphrazein "to tell in other words," from para- "beside" + phrazein "to tell" (see phrase). The verb is 1606, from the noun.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source

paraphrase

in music, the appropriation of a phrase, melody, section, or entire piece for use in another, favoured especially during the Renaissance for masses and motets as well as for keyboard works. The original melody is not generally used as it appeared in its original context but rather is altered by interpolating new notes, by changing the rhythm or the melodic contour, or by condensing or elaborating melodic passages. A paraphrased melody may appear in one voice part of the new composition, as in the motet Alma redemptoris mater (Beloved Mother of the Redeemer) by Guillaume Dufay, or in all voice parts through the technique of melodic imitation, as in the Missa pange lingua (mass on the plainsong hymn "Pange lingua" ["Sing, My Tongue"]) by Josquin des Prez.

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

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see paraphrase on Thesaurus | Reference