4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Phrase  \Phrase\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Phrased};  p.  pr  &  vb  n. 
  {Phrasing}.]  [Cf.  F.  phraser.] 
  To  express  in  words  or  in  peculiar  words  to  call  to  style. 
  ``These  suns  --  for  so  they  phrase  'em.''  --Shak. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Phrase  \Phrase\,  v.  i. 
  1.  To  use  proper  or  fine  phrases.  [R.] 
 
  2.  (Mus.)  To  group  notes  into  phrases;  as  he  phrases  well 
  See  {Phrase},  n.,  4. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Phrase  \Phrase\,  n.  [F.,  fr  L.  phrasis  diction,  phraseology, 
  Gr  ?,  fr  ?  to  speak.] 
  1.  A  brief  expression,  sometimes  a  single  word  but  usually 
  two  or  more  words  forming  an  expression  by  themselves,  or 
  being  a  portion  of  a  sentence;  as  an  adverbial  phrase. 
 
  ``Convey''  the  wise  it  call  ``Steal!''  foh!  a  fico 
  for  the  phrase.  --Shak. 
 
  2.  A  short,  pithy  expression;  especially,  one  which  is  often 
  employed;  a  peculiar  or  idiomatic  turn  of  speech;  as  to 
  err  is  human. 
 
  3.  A  mode  or  form  of  speech;  the  manner  or  style  in  which  any 
  one  expreses  himself;  diction;  expression.  ``Phrases  of 
  the  hearth.''  --Tennyson. 
 
  Thou  speak'st  In  better  phrase  and  matter  than  thou 
  didst.  --Shak. 
 
  4.  (Mus.)  A  short  clause  or  portion  of  a  period. 
 
  Note:  A  composition  consists  first  of  sentences,  or  periods; 
  these  are  subdivided  into  sections,  and  these  into 
  phrases. 
 
  {Phrase  book},  a  book  of  idiomatic  phrases.  --J.  S.  Blackie. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  phrase 
  n  1:  an  expression  forming  a  grammatical  constituent  of  a 
  sentence  but  not  containing  a  finite  verb 
  2:  a  short  musical  passage  two  to  four  measures  long  [syn:  {musical 
  phrase}] 
  3:  an  expression  whose  meanings  cannot  be  inferred  from  the 
  meanings  of  the  words  that  make  it  up  [syn:  {idiom},  {idiomatic 
  expression},  {phrasal  idiom},  {set  phrase}] 
  v  :  put  into  words  or  an  expression;  "He  formulated  his  concerns 
  to  the  board  of  trustees"  [syn:  {formulate},  {word},  {articulate}] 

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