Etymology · Ancient Greek
περίφρασις
3 English words descend from Ancient Greek περίφρασις, most common first.
- circumlocutionA roundabout or indirect way of speaking; thus
- periphraseThe use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution.
- periphrasisThe use of a longer expression instead of a shorter one with a similar meaning, for example "I am going to" instead of "I will".