circumlocution

Definitions

circum- (around) + locu (speak, from Latin loquī) + -tion (act) = 'speaking around.' Instead of naming a thing directly, you talk around it — using a long phrase or vague hint. 'A person who delivers mail' is a circumlocution for 'mail carrier.'

Why It Means This

circumlocution is the verbal twin of circumvent: instead of going around an obstacle, you go around a word. The locu inside it is the 'speak' root (as in eloquent, loquacious). People use circumlocution to be polite ('he passed away' rather than 'he died'), to be evasive (politicians dodging a yes/no), or simply out of wordiness. The image is always the same circle — talking around the point instead of straight at it.

Common Collocations

• 1.avoid circumlocution避免绕弯子
• 2.verbose circumlocution冗长的迂回说法

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Cut the circumlocution and just tell me what happened.

• 2.

  The report was full of circumlocution and said almost nothing.