What does periphrase mean?
Definitions for periphrase
pe·riphrase
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word periphrase.
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Wiktionary
periphrasenoun
The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution.
periphraseverb
To express by periphrase or circumlocution.
periphraseverb
To use circumlocution.
Etymology: From periphrasis from περίφρασις, from περιφράζομαι, from περί + φράζω. See phrase.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
To Periphraseverb
To express one word by many; to express by circumlocution.
Etymology: periphraser, Fr.
Wikipedia
periphrase
In linguistics, periphrasis () is the use of one or more function words to express meaning that otherwise may be expressed by attaching an affix or clitic to a word. The resulting phrase includes two or more collocated words instead of one inflected word. The word periphrasis originates from the Greek word periphrazein, which means talking around.Periphrastic forms are a characteristic of analytic languages, whereas the absence of periphrasis is a characteristic of synthetic languages. While periphrasis concerns all categories of syntax, it is most visible with verb catena. The verb catenae of English (verb phrases constructed with auxiliary verbs) are highly periphrastic.
Webster Dictionary
Periphrasenoun
the use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution
Periphraseverb
to express by periphrase or circumlocution
Periphraseverb
to use circumlocution
Etymology: [L. periphrasis, Gr. , fr. to think about, to be expressed periphrastically; + to speak: cf. F. priphrase. See Phrase.]
Chambers 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.]
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of periphrase in Chaldean Numerology is: 4
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of periphrase in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7
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"periphrase." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/periphrase>.
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