Circumlocution
[,sɜːkəmlə'kjuːʃ(ə)n] or [,sɝkəmlə'kjuʃən]
Definition
(noun.) an indirect way of expressing something.
(noun.) a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things.
Typist: Miranda--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language; a periphrase.
Edited by Faye
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Periphrasis, periphrase, circuit or compass of words, indirect expression, roundabout mode of speech.
Editor: Terence
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Periphrasis, verbosity, inconciseness, insuccinctness, ambiguousness,anfractuosity
ANT:Terseness, point, conciseness, succinctness, condensation, directness,plainness, simplicity, coherence
Typist: Rachel
Definition
n. roundabout speaking: a manner of expression in which many unnecessary words are used.—v.i. Cir′cumlocute to use circumlocution.—n. Circumlocū′tionist one who practises circumlocution.—adj. Circumloc′utory.—Circumlocution office a name given by Dickens in Little Dorrit to the government offices owing to their dilatoriness in attending to business.
Typed by Catherine
Examples
- It was this spirit of national efficiency in the Circumlocution Office that had gradually led to its having something to do with everything. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Here arises a feature of the Circumlocution Office, not previously mentioned in the present record. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- The question may have been, in the course of official business, referred to the Circumlocution Department for its consideration. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Numbers of people were lost in the Circumlocution Office. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- You are the levers of the Circumlocution Office, and the rulers of men. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- So Arthur resumed the long and hopeless labour of striving to make way with the Circumlocution Office. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Clennam had been poring late over his books and letters; for the waiting-rooms of the Circumlocution Office ravaged his time sorely. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- It was equally impossible to do the plainest right and to undo the plainest wrong without the express authority of the Circumlocution Office. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- The Barnacle family had for some time helped to administer the Circumlocution Office. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- She had a good honest glance and used no circumlocution. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- He was under Government--high in the Circumlocution Office. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Mr. Losberne, who appeared desirous of gaining time, recounted them at great length, and with much circumlocution. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- All this is true, but the Circumlocution Office went beyond it. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Mr Barnacle dated from a better time, when the country was not so parsimonious and the Circumlocution Office was not so badgered. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- It had done immense service, and brought him into high esteem with the Circumlocution Office. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
Typist: Shane