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RECENT POSTScircumlocution
sur-kuhm-lo-KYOO-shuhn
noun
unnecessary wordiness to express something; beating around the bush; evasive communication
1726Gulliver's TravelsIt put me to the pains of many circumlocutions, to give my master a right idea of what I spoke; for their language does not abound in variety of words, because their wants and passions are fewer than among us.1817Rob RoyI was stupified. The direct bluntness of the demand was much in the style one gentleman uses to another, when requesting explanation of any part of his conduct in a good-humoured yet determined manner, and was totally devoid of the circumlocutions, shadings, softenings, and periphrasis, which usually accompany explanations betwixt persons of different sexes in the higher orders of society.1870At LastHe always disdained circumlocution, prided himself upon the directness and simplicity of his address.Labels: Jonathan Swift, Marion Harland, Sir Walter Scott
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