- circumlocution
- An overly complicated means of expression
Grandiloquent dictionary. 2006.
circumlocution
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Circumlocution — (also called periphrasis, circumduction, circumvolution, periphrase, or ambage[1]) is an ambiguous or roundabout figure of speech. In its most basic form, circumlocution is using many words (such as a tool used for cutting things such as paper… … Wikipedia
Circumlocution — Cir cum*lo*cu tion, n. [L. circumlocutio, fr. circumloqui, locutus, to make use of circumlocution; circum + loqui to speak. See {Loquacious}.] The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Circumlocution — (v. lat.), Umschreibung mit Worten … Pierer's Universal-Lexikon
circumlocution — index indirection (indirect action) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
circumlocution — (n.) c.1400, from L. circumlocutionem (nom. circumlocutio; a loan translation of Gk. periphrasis) speaking around (the topic), from circum around (see CIRCUM (Cf. circum )) + locutionem (nom. locutio) a speaking, from stem of loqui to speak (see … Etymology dictionary
circumlocution — periphrasis, pleonasm, *verbiage, redundancy, tautology Analogous words: prolixity, diffuseness, wordiness, verbosity (see corresponding adjectives at WORDY) Contrasted words: compactness (see corresponding adjectives at CLOSE): conciseness or… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
circumlocution — [n] indirect speech beating around the bush*, circumambages, diffuseness, discursiveness, euphemism, gassiness, indirectness, periphrase, periphrasis, pleonasm, prolixity, roundabout, tautology, verbal evasion, verbality, verbiage, wordiness;… … New thesaurus
circumlocution — ► NOUN ▪ the use of many words where fewer would do. DERIVATIVES circumlocutory adjective. ORIGIN Latin, from circum around + loqui speak … English terms dictionary
circumlocution — [sʉr΄kəmlō kyo͞o′shən] n. [ME circumlocucioun < L circumlocutio: see CIRCUM & LOCUTION] 1. a roundabout, indirect, or lengthy way of expressing something; periphrasis 2. an instance of this circumlocutory [sʉr΄kəmläk′yə tôr΄ē] adj … English World dictionary
circumlocution — [[t]sɜ͟ː(r)kəmloʊkju͟ːʃ(ə)n[/t]] circumlocutions N VAR A circumlocution is a way of saying or writing something using more words than are necessary instead of being clear and direct. [FORMAL] It was always when you most wanted a direct answer… … English dictionary
circumlocution — UK [ˌsɜː(r)kəmləˈkjuːʃ(ə)n] / US [ˌsɜrkəmləˈkjuʃ(ə)n] noun [countable/uncountable] Word forms circumlocution : singular circumlocution plural circumlocutions formal the use of too many words to say something, especially in order to avoid saying… … English dictionary
