cir·cum·lo·cu·tion
(sûr′kəm-lō-kyo͞o′shən)n.
1. The use of unnecessarily wordy language, especially in being vague or evasive.
2. A roundabout or evasive expression: Circumlocutions like "go to the bathroom" are often used in place of words that are considered vulgar or indelicate.
[Middle English circumlocucioun, from Latin circumlocūtiō, circumlocūtiōn-, from circumlocūtus, past participle of circumloquī : circum-, circum- + loquī, to speak; see tolkw- in Indo-European roots.]
cir′cum·loc′u·to′ri·ly (-lŏk′yə-tôr′ə-lē) adv.
cir′cum·loc′u·to′ry (-tôr′ē) adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
circumlocution
(ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃən)n
1. an indirect way of expressing something
2. an indirect expression
circumlocutory adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
cir•cum•lo•cu•tion
(ˌsɜr kəm loʊˈkyu ʃən)n.
1. a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.
2. a roundabout expression.
[1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin circumlocūtiō]
cir`cum•loc′u•to`ry (-ˈlɒk yəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i) adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
circumlocution
An indirect way of saying something, or the use of indirect modes of expression.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  circumlocution - a style that involves indirect ways of expressing thingsverboseness, 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 |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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.
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Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
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circumlocution
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