periphrasis
/pə'rifrəsis/ Cách viết khác : (periphrases) /pə'rifrəsi:z/
Definition
Noun: 1. The use of more words than necessary to express an idea, often to be indirect, euphemistic, or more polite. It is a roundabout way of speaking or writing, avoiding direct or simple terms. 2. (In grammar) A phrase that functions as a single grammatical unit, often used to avoid a single, more direct word. For example, using "the man who delivers the mail" instead of "the mailman."
Usage
- Periphrasis is often used to soften a statement, create a specific tone, or for stylistic effect in literature and rhetoric.
- It can be a deliberate stylistic choice or an unnecessary and verbose habit.
Examples
- Noun:
- Instead of saying "he died," the author used the periphrasis "he passed into the great beyond."
- Her letter was full of periphrasis, making it difficult to understand her simple request.
- "The vehicle that is used for personal transportation" is a periphrastic way of saying "car."
Advanced Usage
- Periphrastic constructions are common in grammar. For example, in English, the future tense is often formed periphrastically using "will" or "going to" + verb (e.g., "I will go" instead of a single-word future form).
- Circumlocution is a near-synonym, but it often carries a stronger negative connotation of being evasive or unnecessarily wordy.
Variants and Related Words
- Periphrastic (adjective): Describing the use of or characterized by periphrasis.
- The periphrastic style of the legal document made it tedious to read.
Synonyms
- Circumlocution
- Verbosity
- Prolixity
- Indirectness
- Roundabout expression
Antonyms
- Conciseness
- Directness
- Brevity
- Succinctness
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To beat around the bush: This idiom describes the act of avoiding the main point, which is a common result of periphrasis.
- Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.
Noun
-
a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things
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