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Complete Definition of "circumlocution"

English

Etymology
Latin circumlocutio, literally a speaking (locutio) around (circum). Probably a calque of Ancient Greek πεÏίφÏασις (periphrasis, periphrasis).

Pronunciation
cir·cum·lo·cu·tion /ˌsɜrkəmloʊˈkyuʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sur-kuhm-loh-kyoo-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun

Noun
en-noun
#a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.
#a roundabout expression.

Derived terms
circumlocutionary

Related terms
circumlocutory

See also
beat around the bush

fa:circumlocution
io:circumlocution
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te:circumlocution
vi:circumlocution
tr:circumlocution
zh:circumlocution

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