[ pə'rɪfrəsɪs ]
■ noun ( plural periphrases -si:z )
1》 the use of indirect and circumlocutory speech or writing.
2》 Grammar the use of separate words to express a grammatical relationship that is otherwise expressed by inflection, e.g. did go as opposed to went .
Derivatives
periphrastic adjective
periphrastically adverb
Origin
C16: via L. from Gk, from periphrazein , from peri- 'around' + phrazein 'declare'.