n.1 a mild or vague expression substituted for one thought to be too harsh or direct (e.g. pass over for die).
2 the use of such expressions.
Derivatives:
euphemist n. euphemistic adj. euphemistically adv. euphemize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise).
Etymology: Gk euphemismos f. euphemos (as EU-, pheme speaking)