Definition of "periphrase" []

• The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea; a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution. (noun)
• To express by periphrase or circumlocution. (verb)
• To use circumlocution. (verb)

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• "It is to be noted that the age of periphrase in verse was the age of crudities in prose."
• "In these matters a periphrase was demanded by the decorum of life, but, as he asked another question instead, it flashed through him that the doctor must be accustomed to the impatience of a sick man's relatives."
• "Morris said: ‘My translation is a real one so far, not a mere periphrase of the original as _all_ the others are.’"