Periphrase

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.


     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Periphrase \Per"i*phrase\, v. i.
     To use circumlocution.
     [1913 Webster]