periphrastic
English
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek περιφραστικός (periphrastikós), from περίφρασις (períphrasis, “periphrasis”).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌpɛ.ɹɪˈfɹæ.stik/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "Canada" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌpɛ.ɹəˈfɹæ.stɪk/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌpɛ.ɹəˈfɹæ.stɪk/
- Rhymes: -æstɪk
Adjective
periphrastic (comparative more periphrastic, superlative most periphrastic)
- Expressed in more words than are necessary.
- 1916, Martin Brown Ruud, An Essay Toward a History of Shakespeare in Norway
- As poetry it does not measure up to Aasen; as translation it is periphrastic, arbitrary, not at all faithful.
- 1940, T. S. Eliot, East Coker:
- "That was a way of putting it—not very satisfactory/ A periphrastic study in a worn-out poetical fashion/ Leaving one still with the intolerable wrestle / With words and meanings."
- 1916, Martin Brown Ruud, An Essay Toward a History of Shakespeare in Norway
- Indirect in naming an entity; circumlocutory.
- 1870, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Vril: The Power of the Coming Race
- In writing, they deem it irreverent to express the Supreme Being [and] in conversation they generally use a periphrastic epithet, such as the All-Good.
- 1870, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Vril: The Power of the Coming Race
- (grammar) Characterized by periphrasis.
- “The daughter of the man” may be used as a periphrastic synonym for “the man’s daughter”.
Related terms
Translations
expressed in more words than are necessary
|
indirect in naming an entity; circumlocutory
|
grammar: characterized by periphrase or circumlocution
|