Definitions for circumlocution
ˌsɜr kəm loʊˈkyu ʃəncir·cum·lo·cu·tion

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. circumlocution, periphrasis, ambagenoun

   a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things

2. circumlocution, indirect expressionnoun

   an indirect way of expressing something

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. circumlocutionnoun

   A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.

2. circumlocutionnoun

   A roundabout expression. See also euphemism

3. Etymology: From circumlocutio. Surface analysis ; see these for related terms. Probably a calque of περίφρασις.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Circumlocutionnoun

   Etymology: circumlocutio, Latin.

   1. A circuit or compass of words; periphrasis.

   Virgil , studying brevity, could bring these words into a narrow compass, which a translator cannot render without circumlocutions. Dryden.

   I much prefer the plain Billingsgate way of calling names, because it would save abundance of time, lost by circumlocution. Jonathan Swift, Miscellanies.

   2. The use of indirect expressions.

   These people are not to be dealt withal, but by a train of mystery and circumlocution. Roger L'Estrange.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Circumlocution

   Circumlocution (also called circumduction, circumvolution, periphrasis, kenning, or ambage) is the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea. It is sometimes necessary in communication (for example, to work around lexical gaps that might otherwise lead to untranslatability), but it can also be undesirable (when an uncommon or easily misunderstood figure of speech is used). Roundabout speech is the use of many words to describe something that already has a common and concise term (for example, saying "a tool used for cutting things such as paper and hair" instead of "scissors"). Most dictionaries use circumlocution to define words. Circumlocution is often used by people with aphasia and people learning a new language, where simple terms can be paraphrased to aid learning or communication (for example, paraphrasing the word "grandfather" as "the father of one's father"). Among other usages, circumlocution can be used to construct euphemisms, innuendos, and equivocations.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. circumlocution

   Circumlocution is a style or manner of speaking or writing that involves indirect or roundabout expression. It's the use of several or many words instead of few or one to convey an idea, often to avoid being straightforward or clear; it can also be used for emphasis or to be polite. It's often considered a form of verbosity.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Circumlocutionnoun

   the use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language; a periphrase

2. Etymology: [L. circumlocutio, fr. circumloqui, -locutus, to make use of circumlocution; circum + loqui to speak. See Loquacious.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Circumlocution

   Circumlocution is an ambiguous or roundabout figure of speech.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Circumlocution

   sėr-kum-lō-kū′shun, n. roundabout speaking: a manner of expression in which many unnecessary words are used.—v.i. Cir′cumlocute, to use circumlocution.—n. Circumlocū′tionist, one who practises circumlocution.—adj. Circumloc′utory.—Circumlocution office, a name given by Dickens in Little Dorrit to the government offices, owing to their dilatoriness in attending to business. [L. loqui, locutus, to speak.]

Matched Categories

1. • Verboseness

How to pronounce circumlocution?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say circumlocution in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of circumlocution in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of circumlocution in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=circumlocution
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Circumlocution
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=circumlocution
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumlocution
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumlocution
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=circumlocution
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=circumlocution