metaphrase

English

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Ancient Greek μεταφράζομαι (metaphrázomai, “consider after”)

Noun

metaphrase (plural metaphrases)

1. a literal, word-for-word translation.
2. An answering phrase; repartee.
   • Elizabeth Barrett Browning

     I'm somewhat dull still in the manly art
     Of phrase and metaphrase. Why, any man
     Can carve a score of white Loves out of snow,
     As Buonarroti down in Florence there,
     And set them on the wall in some safe shade […]

Verb

1. to make such a literal translation.

See also

• Translation