Periphrasis

Quick meaning: Periphrasis is a noun meaning The use of a longer expression instead of a shorter one with a similar meaning, for example "I am going to" instead of "I will".

Meaning

The use of a longer expression instead of a shorter one with a similar meaning, for example "I am going to" instead of "I will".

More Meanings

1. (linguistics) Expressing a grammatical meaning (such as a tense) using a syntactic construction rather than morphological marking.
2. (rhetoric) The substitution of a descriptive word or phrase for a proper name (a type of circumlocution).
3. (rhetoric) The use of a proper name as a shorthand to stand for qualities associated with it.

Example Sentences

Periphrasis a single thought expands, And uses many words for what but few demands.

The "glen," or the "brake of the lion," is Pindar's favourite periphrasis for Nemea.

Native speakers use periphrases like "did not go" where a language learner might use "went not".

Language learners sometimes use periphrases like "did go" where a native speaker would use "went".

Word Forms

• periphrases

Synonyms for periphrasis

Depending on context, synonyms include circumlocution.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include circumlocution, periphrase, antiphrasis, ampliatio, antiphrase, paralepsis.

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