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periphrase

periphrase

 

  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Periphrase  \Per"i*phrase\,  n.  [L.  periphrasis,  Gr  ?,  fr  ?  to 
  think  about  to  be  expressed  periphrastically;  ?  +  ?  to 
  speak:  cf  F.  p['e]riphrase.  See  {Phrase}.]  (Rhet.) 
  The  use  of  more  words  than  are  necessary  to  express  the  idea; 
  a  roundabout,  or  indirect,  way  of  speaking;  circumlocution. 
  ``To  describe  by  enigmatic  periphrases.''  --De  Quincey. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Periphrase  \Per"i*phrase\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Periphrased};  p. 
  pr  &  vb  n.  {Periphrasing}.]  [Cf.  F.  p['e]riphraser.] 
  To  express  by  periphrase  or  circumlocution. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Periphrase  \Per"i*phrase\,  v.  i. 
  To  use  circumlocution.