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Periphrase

//ˈpɛɹi.fɹeɪz// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution. countable, rhetoric, uncountable

    "1821, Thomas De Quincey, John Paul Frederick Richter (published in London Magazine To describe all those on whom the fates of Troy hinged , by enigmatic periphrases"

Verb
  1. 1
    To express by periphrase or circumlocution. transitive
  2. 2
    To use circumlocution. intransitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Latin periphrasis from Ancient Greek περίφρασις (períphrasis), from περιφράζομαι (periphrázomai, “I consider all sides of an issue”), from περί (perí, “around”) + φράζω (phrázō, “I show, point out”). See phrase.

Etymology 2

From Latin periphrasis from Ancient Greek περίφρασις (períphrasis), from περιφράζομαι (periphrázomai, “I consider all sides of an issue”), from περί (perí, “around”) + φράζω (phrázō, “I show, point out”). See phrase.

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