periphrasis

[ puh-rif-ruh-sis ]
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noun,plural pe·riph·ra·ses [puh-rif-ruh-seez]. /pəˈrɪf rəˌsiz/.
  1. the use of an unnecessarily long or roundabout form of expression; circumlocution.

  2. an expression phrased in such fashion.

Origin of periphrasis

1
1525–35; <Latin <Greek períphrasis.See peri-, phrase, -sis
  • Also per·i·phrase [per-uh-freyz]. /ˈpɛr əˌfreɪz/.

Words Nearby periphrasis

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British Dictionary definitions for periphrasis

periphrasis

/ (pəˈrɪfrəsɪs) /


nounplural -rases (-rəˌsiːz)
  1. a roundabout way of expressing something; circumlocution

  2. an expression of this kind

Origin of periphrasis

1
C16: via Latin from Greek, from peri- + phrazein to declare

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