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An indirect way of expressing something
Answer for the clue "An indirect way of expressing something ", 14 letters:
circumlocution
Alternative clues for the word circumlocution
Word definitions for circumlocution in dictionaries
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
c.1400, from Latin circumlocutionem (nominative circumlocutio ) "a speaking around" (the topic), from circum- "around" (see circum- ) + locutionem (nominative locutio ) "a speaking," noun of action from past participle stem of loqui "to speak" (see locution ...
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
noun EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ Approximate synonyms, or else circumlocutions, are chosen to fill the gap. ▪ But whatever circumlocutions are conferred upon him, Simon would appear to be rather more obtrusive than some translators might wish. ▪ He had an aversion ...
WordNet
Word definitions in WordNet
n. a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things [syn: periphrasis , ambage ] an indirect way of expressing something [syn: indirect expression ]
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Circumlocution \Cir`cum*lo*cu"tion\, n. [L. circumlocutio, fr. circumloqui, -locutus, to make use of circumlocution; circum + loqui to speak. See Loquacious .] The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout ...
Wikipedia
Word definitions in Wikipedia
Circumlocution (also called circumduction , circumvolution , periphrasis , or ambage ) is locution that circles around a specific idea with multiple words rather than directly evoking it with fewer and apter words. It is sometimes a necessary tool of communication ...
Wiktionary
Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea. 2 A roundabout expression. See also euphemism
Usage examples of circumlocution.
Let him explain now, quickly and without circumlocution, if he really wishes my pardon, why, after going to Nurnberg to marry a bag of gold, containing a few millions, he has now returned to Berlin.
At last, however, I summoned up courage to say, with a great deal of circumlocution, that I did not know whether Lord Pembroke had deceived me in informing me that I should find the prettiest girls in London at his house.
Tolkien himself provided, introducing unattested idioms or long circumlocutions where necessary to work around gaps in the Tolkien-made vocabulary?
Often and often she felt that she could have leaped out towards the person talking to her, that she could have cried to him to put away his circumlocutions, his forms and his trivialities, and to let her see and feel what he really was.
But you can see it in the circumlocutions which researchers use to talk about killing animals.
All that circumlocution, those hints at an enemy, at secrecy and discretion, that had been a pointer.
With mysterious gesticulations, he intimated hesitatingly and yet impatiently, with much bashful circumlocution, that he knew of a solace, of complete wisdom which was there for every earnest seeker.
Quenya, unlike English, does have a true perfect tense a unitary form of the verb that expresses this meaning, without circumlocutions and extra verbs.
In this as in other matters, people who want to write in Quenya face a difficult choice: Should we try to make the language work using solely the words Tolkien himself provided, introducing unattested idioms or long circumlocutions where necessary to work around gaps in the Tolkien-made vocabulary?
The trick of writing dialogue is to make it look natural, but without all the hesitations and circumlocutions and other wasted words that each of us uses in our everyday speech.
In general, she concluded, my mode of operation in this second enterprise must be contrary to my first's: on the one hand, direct instead of indirect -- no circuities, circumlocutions, reflections, or ruses -- on the other, rather passive than active: beyond a certain point I must permit things to come to me instead of adventuring to them.
Yet the more he studied it with its magistrates' court circumlocutions, the more interested he was by ITS it.
The marquis's mistress took hold of my arm, and told me, without any circumlocution, that I had the reputation of being inconstant, and by way of reply I observed politely that I was wrongfully accused, but that if there was any ground for the remark it was because I had never served so sweet a lady as herself.
I detest euphemisms and circumlocutions, and I am acquainted with all the verbs, including those of the argots, which mean to cause the death of.
Lieutenant Commander Dallish, when he appeared in her office shortly after debarking from the Security shuttle, apologized for his earlier circumlocutions.