circumlocution
English
WOTD – 30 October 2015
Etymology
From Latin circumlocūtiō (“the act of speaking around; circumlocution, periphrasis”). Surface analysis circum- (“around”) + locution (“talk”); see these for related terms. Probably a calque of Ancient Greek περίφρασις (períphrasis, “periphrasis”).
Pronunciation
Noun
circumlocution (countable and uncountable, plural circumlocutions)
- A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.
- A roundabout expression.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
roundabout or indirect way of speaking
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roundabout expression
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See also
- beat around the bush
- go around the houses
- euphemism
- mince words, mince matters
- equivocation (the use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, possibly intentionally and with the aim of misleading)
- evasive (tending to avoid speaking openly or making revelations about oneself)
- prevarication (evasion of the truth; deceit, evasiveness)
- hedge (to avoid verbal commitment)
- waffle (to speak or write vaguely and evasively; to speak or write at length without any clear point or aim)
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