periphrases
Definition
Noun (plural of periphrasis):
1. Circumlocution: The use of indirect and lengthy wording to express something that could be said more briefly.
- Example: "The periphrases in the politician's speech made his stance unclear." (The speaker used many words to avoid stating a direct opinion.)
2. A roundabout expression: A specific instance of such wordy phrasing.
- Example: "Instead of saying 'I'm tired,' she used a periphrasis: 'I'm feeling somewhat fatigued after the day's exertions.'" (She avoided a direct, simple statement.)
Usage Examples
- (The essay contained too many roundabout phrases.)
- (Lawyers use indirect wording to avoid ambiguity.)
- (The poet uses elaborate language for effect.)
Advanced Usage
- "periphrastic" (adjective): Relating to or characterized by periphrases.
- The author's periphrastic style made the novel tedious to read. (The writing was overly wordy.)
- "periphrastically" (adverb): In a roundabout manner.
- He answered periphrastically, never giving a straight yes or no. (He avoided directness.)
Variants and Related Words
- Periphrasis (noun, singular): The base word.
- A single periphrasis can obscure the meaning of a sentence. (One roundabout expression.)
- Periphrastic (adj): Describing language that uses many words.
- The periphrastic construction "the man who is tall" is longer than the simple "the tall man." (The longer phrasing is an example of periphrastic grammar.)
Synonyms
- Circumlocution: The act of speaking in a roundabout way.
- Verbiage: Excessive use of words, often unnecessarily.
- Pleonasm: The use of more words than necessary to convey meaning (e.g., "free gift").
- Tautology: Redundant phrasing, such as "repeat again."
Related Idioms
- Beat around the bush: To avoid saying something directly.
- Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think. (Stop using periphrases.)
- Talk in circles: To speak without reaching a clear point.
- His explanation talked in circles, full of periphrases. (The explanation was confusing and indirect.)