phrase

phrase  (frz)

n.

1. A sequence of words intended to have meaning.

2.

a. A characteristic way or mode of expression.

b. A brief, apt, and cogent expression.

3. A word or group of words read or spoken as a unit and separated by pauses or other junctures.

4. Grammar Two or more words in sequence that form a syntactic unit that is less than a complete sentence.

5. Music A short passage or segment, often consisting of four measures or forming part of a larger unit.

6. A series of dance movements forming a unit in a choreographic pattern.

v. phrased, phras·ing, phras·es

v.tr.

1. To express orally or in writing: The speaker phrased several opinions.

2. To pace or mark off (something read aloud or spoken) by pauses.

3. Music

a. To divide (a passage) into phrases.

b. To combine (notes) in a phrase.

v.intr.

1. To make or render phrases, as in reading aloud.

2. Music To perform a passage with the correct phrasing.

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[Latin phrasis, diction, from Greek, speech, diction, phrase, from phrazein, to point out, show; see g^whren- in Indo-European roots.]

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phrasal adj.

phrasal·ly adv.

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phrase

Noun

1. a group of words forming a unit of meaning in a sentence

2. an idiomatic or original expression

3. Music a small group of notes forming a coherent unit of melody

Verb

[phrasing, phrased]

1. to express orally or in a phrase: I could have phrased that better

2. Music to divide (a melodic line or part) into musical phrases, esp. in performance [Greek phrasis speech]

phrasal adj

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	phrase - an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence head word, headword - a content word that can be qualified by a modifier grammatical construction, construction, expression - a group of words that form a constituent of a sentence and are considered as a single unit; "I concluded from his awkward constructions that he was a foreigner" nominal, nominal phrase, noun phrase - a phrase that can function as the subject or object of a verb verb phrase, predicate - one of the two main constituents of a sentence; the predicate contains the verb and its complements prepositional phrase - a phrase beginning with a preposition pronominal, pronominal phrase - a phrase that functions as a pronoun modifier, qualifier - a content word that qualifies the meaning of a noun or verb response - a phrase recited or sung by the congregation following a versicle by the priest or minister catch phrase, catchphrase - a phrase that has become a catchword
	2.	phrase - a short musical passage musical phrase melodic line, melodic phrase, melody, tune, strain, air, line - a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence; "she was humming an air from Beethoven" musical passage, passage - a short section of a musical composition ligature - (music) a group of notes connected by a slur ostinato - a musical phrase repeated over and over during a composition
	3.	phrase - an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up idiomatic expression, phrasal idiom, set phrase, idiom locution, saying, expression - a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations; "pardon the expression" ruralism, rusticism - a rural idiom or expression in the lurch - in a difficult or vulnerable position; "he resigned and left me in the lurch" like clockwork - with regularity and precision; "the rocket launch went off like clockwork"
	4.	phrase - dance movements that are linked in a single choreographic sequence dancing, terpsichore, dance, saltation - taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
Verb	1.	phrase - put into words or an expression; "He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees" give voice, word, articulate, formulate ask - direct or put; seek an answer to; "ask a question" evince, express, show - give expression to; "She showed her disappointment" lexicalise, lexicalize - make or coin into a word or accept a new word into the lexicon of a language; "The concept expressed by German `Gemuetlichkeit' is not lexicalized in English" dogmatise, dogmatize - state as a dogma formularise, formularize - express as a formula couch, redact, put, frame, cast - formulate in a particular style or language; "I wouldn't put it that way"; "She cast her request in very polite language"
	2.	phrase - divide, combine, or mark into phrases; "phrase a musical passage" arrange, order, put, set up - arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events; "arrange my schedule"; "set up one's life"; "I put these memories with those of bygone times"

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phrase

noun 1. expression, saying, remark, motto, construction, tag, quotation, maxim, idiom, utterance, adage, dictum, way of speaking, group of words, locution

verb 2. express, say, word, put, term, present, voice, frame, communicate, convey, utter, couch, formulate, put into words

Translations

phrase [freɪz] n → frase f

vt [+ letter] → expresar, redactar

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phrase [freɪz] n → expression f;

(Ling) → locution f

vt → exprimer [+ letter]; rédiger

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phrase [freɪz] n → Satz m;

(Ling) → Redewendung f;

(Mus) → Phrase f

vt → ausdrücken [+ letter]; formulieren

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phrase [freɪz] n → espressione f;

(LING) → locuzione f;

(MUS) → frase f

vt → esprimere [+ letter]; redigere