metaphrase

met·a·phrase  (mt-frz)

n.

A word-for-word translation.

tr.v. met·a·phrased, met·a·phras·ing, met·a·phras·es

1. To translate, especially literally.

2. To manipulate the wording of (a text), especially as a means of subtly altering the sense.

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[New Latin metaphrasis, from Greek, translation, paraphrase, from metaphrazein, to translate : meta-, meta- + phrazein, to tell, show; see g^whren- in Indo-European roots.]

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meta·phrastic (-frstk) adj.

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metaphrase [ˈmɛtəˌfreɪz]

n

(Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a literal translation Compare paraphrase

vb (tr)

1. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) to alter or manipulate the wording of

2. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) to translate literally

[from Greek metaphrazein to translate]

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metaphrasis, metaphrase

the practice of making a literal translation from one language into another. Cf. paraphrasis. — metaphrast, n. — metaphrastic, metaphrastical, adj.

See also: Language