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circumlocution

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
cir·cum·lo·cu·tion  (sûrkm-l-kyshn)
n.
1. The use of unnecessarily wordy and indirect language.
2. Evasion in speech or writing.
3. A roundabout expression.

[Middle English circumlocucioun, from Latin circumlocti, circumloctin-, from circumloctus, past participle of circumloqu : circum-, circum- + loqu, to speak; see tolkw- in Indo-European roots.]

circum·locu·tori·ly (-lky-tôr-l, -tr-) adv.
circum·locu·tory (-tôr, -tr) adj.

circumlocution [ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃən]
n
1. an indirect way of expressing something
2. an indirect expression
circumlocutory  [ˌsɜːkəmˈlɒkjʊtərɪ -trɪ] adj
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.circumlocution - a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things
verboseness, verbosity - an expressive style that uses excessive or empty words
2.circumlocution - an indirect way of expressing something
equivocation, evasion - a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth

circumlocution
noun indirectness, redundancy, euphemism, beating about the bush (informal), wordiness, diffuseness, prolixity, discursiveness He is long-winded and prone to circumlocution in his public speeches.
Translations
circumlocution [ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃən] Ncircunloquio m, rodeo m
circumlocution [ˌsɜːrkəmləʊˈkjuːʃən] ncirconlocution f, périphrase f
circumlocution
nWeitschweifigkeit f; (= evasiveness)Umschreibung f, → Drumherumreden nt (inf)
circumlocution [ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃn] n (frm) → circonlocuzione f
circumlocution [ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃn] n (frm) → circonlocuzione f


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
If I might offer any apology for so exaggerated a fiction as the Barnacles and the Circumlocution Office, I would seek it in the common experience of an Englishman, without presuming to mention the unimportant fact of my having done that violence to good manners, in the days of a Russian war, and of a Court of Inquiry at Chelsea.
The Moors have a small opinion of England, France, and America, and put their representatives to a deal of red-tape circumlocution before they grant them their common rights, let alone a favor.
The circumlocution has been in vain--you must have guessed it--Ikey adored Rosy.
 
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