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more about circumlocution
circumlocution |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Circumlocution \Cir`cum*lo*cu"tion\, n. [L. circumlocutio, fr circumloqui -locutus, to make use of circumlocution; circum + loqui to speak. See {Loquacious}.] The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few indirect or roundabout language; a periphrase. the plain Billingsgate way of calling names . . . would save abundance of time lost by circumlocution. --Swift. {Circumlocution office}, a term of ridicule for a governmental office where business is delayed by passing through the hands of different officials. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: circumlocution n 1: a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things [syn: {periphrasis}] 2: an indirect way of expressing something [syn: {indirect expression}]
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