Periphrasis
Definition:
The term ‘periphrasis’ refers to the use of excessive language and surplus words to convey a meaning that could otherwise be conveyed with fewer words and in more direct a manner. The use of this literary device can be to embellish a sentence, to create a grander effect, to beat around the bush and to draw attention away from the crux of the message being conveyed.
Example:
Instead of simply saying “I am displeased with your behavior”, one can say, “the manner in which you have conducted yourself in my presence of late has caused me to feel uncomfortable and has resulted in my feeling disgruntled and disappointed with you”.
Comments
8 comments postedits quite informative
this is kinda hard to understand
ummmm
SHAKESPEARE ^.^
isn't this the same as circmlocution?
Periphrasis comes from peri, meaning around, and phrasis, meaning diction. Circumlocution comes from circum, meaning around, and locu, meaning talk or speak.
They both pretty much just mean "around the words".
Periphrasis is a round about way of saying somthing, wehreas metonymy is the oposite and is far more direct and is similar to syneckdoche in that it is a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part.
e.g Police - The Law - metonymy
How is it possible to differentiate them?
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