It is a figure in which something is stated in a roundabout way instead of being expressed in a direct and brief manner. It is also known as Circumlocution.
'Trite and commonplace periphrasis', Martin cautions, 'must be shunned at all costs, such as 'the nuptial tie ' for marriage, 'the lords of creation ' for mankind, 'the weaker vessel ' for womankind, etc.'
Periphrasis consists in a roundabout way of speaking or writing. Its users employ many or very long words where a few or simple words will do. It may be used for shoe of pedantry : Her olfactory system was suffering from a temporary inconvenience (i.e., her nose was blocked).It may be used to avoid low, technical, or commonplace terms in order to make the speech more elegant :
'The finny tribe' for fish, 'the bleating kind' for sheep, 'the penultimate month' for November. Again, it may be used for achieving greater poetic effect: 'The moving isles of winter' for icebergs, 'the jewel of the head' for the eye.
The chief characteristics of this figure are given below:
(i) Some fact or idea is expressed in a roundabout way
(ii) This is frequently done for avoiding the commonplace or for achieving poetic effect.
Examples:
a.
The cup that cheers but not inebriates
b.
The viewless couriers of the air (i.e.,winds) (Shakespeare)
c.
Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking (i.e.,death) (scott)
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