View synonyms for periphrasis

periphrasis

[ puh-rif-ruh-sis ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural pe·riph·ra·ses [p, uh, -, rif, -r, uh, -seez].

the use of an unnecessarily long or roundabout form of expression; circumlocution.
an expression phrased in such fashion.

periphrasis

/ pəˈrɪfrəsɪs /

1525–35; < Latin < Greek períphrasis. See peri-, phrase, -sis

C16: via Latin from Greek, from peri- + phrazein to declare

In Modern French the pronominal inversion (the substantive being prefixed) or a verbal periphrasis must be used—Saul est-il?

Periphras′tic, -al, containing or expressed by periphrasis or circumlocution.

Be it remarked that this periphrasis indicated his mother; and that the bread he alluded to is made with a species of leaven.

"Prop of sea-waves' fire," a periphrasis for a woman that bears gold on her arm.

"He that hoardeth ocean's fire," a periphrasis for man, Hauskuld of Whiteness.

April 20, 2024flabbergast

[flab-er-gast ]

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