periphrastically

Periphrastically refers to a manner of expression or composition that uses a roundabout or indirect method to convey meaning or emphasize a particular aspect of language. In language, periphrastics involve the use of a phrase or sentence that can be considered unnecessary or elliptical in terms of conveying the direct or literal meaning of the intended information.

A common example of periphrastic language is using a longer sentence or phrase to rephrase a simple sentence, often to soften the impact of the message or to convey subtlety. This can be seen in everyday conversation as well as in formal or written language. For instance, "He was a good cook" can be rephrased periphrastically as "He possessed a certain skill or aptitude in the culinary arts," which, although conveying the same information, uses more words to express the idea.

Periphrastics can serve various functions, including avoidance of directness, conveying nuances of emotion or tone, and creating rhetorical effects like emphasis or irony. In linguistics, periphrastics are studied within the framework of language syntax and semantics, with researchers examining their role in facilitating communication and the ways in which they contribute to the overall meaning of a text or conversation.

Periphrastic expressions often manifest themselves through circumlocutions, metaphors, or evasions, and as such, they are of interest to linguists and language teachers for their ability to provide insight into the complexities of language use and the ways in which speakers manage to convey subtle shades of meaning in communication.