periphrasis
[ puh-rif-ruh-sis ]
/ pəˈrɪf rə sɪs /
noun, plural pe·riph·ra·ses [puh-rif-ruh-seez] /pəˈrɪf rəˌsiz/.
the use of an unnecessarily long or roundabout form of expression; circumlocution.
an expression phrased in such fashion.
Also
per·i·phrase
[per-uh-freyz] /ˈpɛr əˌfreɪz/.
Words nearby periphrasis
peripheral vision,
peripheralism,
peripheric,
periphery,
periphlebitis,
periphrasis,
periphrastic,
periphyton,
periplasm,
periporitis,
periproct
Example sentences from the Web for periphrase
The words inclined to think seems a periphrase for secret infidelity.
Calamities and Quarrels of Authors |Isaac Disraeli
British Dictionary definitions for periphrase
periphrasis
/ (pəˈrɪfrəsɪs) /
noun plural -rases (-rəˌsiːz)
a roundabout way of expressing something; circumlocution
an expression of this kind
Word Origin for periphrasis
C16: via Latin from Greek, from
peri- +
phrazein to declare