paraphrase
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1para·phrase

noun \ˈper-ə-ˌfrāz,ˈpa-rə-\

Definition of PARAPHRASE

1
: a restatement of a text, passage, or work giving the meaning in another form
2
: the use or process of paraphrasing in studying or teaching composition

Examples of PARAPHRASE

  1. This is just a paraphrase of what he said, not an exact quote.
  2. <your essays on human rights should have some original thought and not be simply a paraphrase of what's in the textbook>

Origin of PARAPHRASE

Middle French, from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek, from paraphrazein to paraphrase, from para- + phrazein to point out
First Known Use: 1548

2paraphrase

verb
paraphrasedparaphras·ing

Definition of PARAPHRASE

intransitive verb
: to make a paraphrase
transitive verb
: to make a paraphrase of
para·phras·able \ˌper-ə-ˈfrā-zə-bəl, ˌpa-rə-\ adjective
para·phras·er noun

Examples of PARAPHRASE

  1. I'm paraphrasing, but he did say something like that.
  2. <could you paraphrase your diagnosis of my medical condition, using simpler language?>

First Known Use of PARAPHRASE

1596

Related to PARAPHRASE

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