Definition of periphrase Periphrase
per•i•phrase
We found 7 definitions of periphrase from 3 different sources.
Advertising
What does periphrase mean?
Wiktionary 
- periphrase (Noun)
The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution. - periphrase (Verb)
To express by periphrase or circumlocution. - periphrase (Verb)
To use circumlocution.
Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘
- periphrase (n.)
The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution. - periphrase (v. t.)
To express by periphrase or circumlocution. - periphrase (v. i.)
To use circumlocution.
Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕
-
periphrase
per′i-frāz, n. a round-about way of speaking: the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea: (rhet.) a figure employed to avoid a trite expression—also Periph′rasis.—v.t. or v.i. to use circumlocution.—adjs. Periphras′tic, -al, containing or expressed by periphrasis or circumlocution.—adv. Periphras′tically. [L.,—Gr. periphrasis—peri, about, phrasis, a speaking.]
