pəˈrifrəsə̇s noun
( plural periphra·ses -əˌsēz)
Etymology: Latin, from Greek, from periphrazein to express periphrastically (from peri- + phrazein to point out, show, declare) + -sis
1. : the use of a longer phrasing (as in naming by descriptive epithet, introduction of abstract general terms) in place of a possible shorter and plainer form of expression : the use of a negative, passive, or inverted construction in place of a positive, active, or normal construction : a roundabout or indirect way of speaking : circumlocution
2. : an instance of periphrasis
“the answer is in the negative” is a periphrasis for “no” — Time