use 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 office — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• 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 — 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

• circumlocution — noun Etymology: Middle English circumlocucyon, from Latin circumlocution , circumlocutio, from circum + locutio speech, from loqui to speak Date: 15th century 1. the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea 2. evasion in… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• circumlocution — circumlocutory /serr keuhm lok yeuh tawr ee, tohr ee/, circumlocutional, circumlocutionary, adj. /serr keuhm loh kyooh sheuhn/, n. 1. a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea. 2. a… …   Universalium

• circumlocution — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. paraphrase, periphrasis, indirection. See avoidance, diffuseness. II (Roget s IV) n. Syn. periphrasis, verbal evasion, redundancy, rambling; see wordiness . III (Roget s 3 Superthesaurus) (VOCABULARY… …   English dictionary for students

• circumlocution — n. 1 a a roundabout expression. b evasive talk. 2 the use of many words where fewer would do; verbosity. Derivatives: circumlocutional adj. circumlocutionary adj. circumlocutionist n. circumlocutory adj. Etymology: ME f. F circumlocution or L… …   Useful english dictionary

• circumlocution — noun /ˌsɜː(ɹ).kəm.ləˈkjuː.ʃn̩,sɹ̩kəmlowˈkjuʃn̩/ a) A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea. b) A roundabout expression. See also euphemism Syn: beat around the bush, periphrasis …   Wiktionary

• circumlocution — cir|cum|lo|cu|tion [ ,sɜrkəmlə kjuʃn ] noun count or uncount FORMAL the use of too many words to say something, especially in order to avoid saying something clearly ╾ cir|cum|loc|u|to|ry [ ,sɜrkəm lakjə,tɔri ] adjective: a circumlocutory reply …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English