periphrasis

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an indirect or roundabout way of expressing something

   The causal verb could be replaced only by a cumbersome periphrasis.

2. 2
   noun

   in grammar, the use of several words where an inflected form might otherwise express the same meaning

   English expresses the future largely through periphrasis with auxiliary verbs.

From Latin periphrasis, from Ancient Greek periphrasis ("roundabout expression"), built from peri- ("around") + phrazein ("to declare, phrase").

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