circumlocutory

English

Etymology

From circumlocution +‎ -ory; compare Medieval Latin circumlocūtōrius from Classical Latin circumlocūtiō.

Adjective

circumlocutory (comparative more circumlocutory, superlative most circumlocutory)

1. Characterised by circumlocution; overly wordy

   Synonyms: periphrastic, verbose

   • 1727, Jonathan Swift (attributed), Martinus Scriblerus, or the Art of Sinking In Poetry

     Periphrase is another great aid to prolixity; being a diffused circumlocutory manner of expressing a known idea, which should be so mysteriously couched, as to give the reader the pleasure of guessing what it is, that the author can possibly mean; and a strange surprise, when he finds it.

   • 1864, J[oseph] Sheridan Le Fanu, chapter LII, in Wylder’s Hand. […], New York, N.Y.: Carleton, […], published 1865, →OCLC:

     Rachel's talks with the vicar were frequent; and poor little Mrs. William Wylder, who knew not the reason of his visits, fell slowly, and to the good man's entire bewilderment, into a chronic jealousy. It expressed itself enigmatically; it was circumlocutory, sad, and mysterious.

   • 2000, Joanne Green, Neuropsychological Evaluation of the Older Adult:

     Another common type of error is a circumlocutory error, when the patient describes the item in several words (e.g., describing a beaver as "an animal that eats trees").

Synonyms

• circumlocuitous
• circumlocutious
• circumlocutional
• circumlocutionary

Derived terms

• uncircumlocutory

 

Related terms

• circumlocutorily

References

• “circumlocutory”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.