periphrastic

adjective

peri·​phras·​tic ˌper-ə-ˈfra-stik How to pronounce periphrastic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by periphrasis
2
: formed by the use of function words or auxiliaries instead of by inflection
more fair is a periphrastic comparative
periphrastically adverb

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of periphrastic was in 1776

Dictionary Entries Near periphrastic

Cite this Entry

“Periphrastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periphrastic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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