Definition of "periphrastic" in English

adjective

1. Expressed in more words than are necessary.

   • He wrote a periphrastic love letter to his wife to patch up their relationship.
   • She was simply asked to express how she felt, but her response was periphrastic.

2. Indirect in naming an entity; circumlocutory.

3. (grammar) Characterized by periphrasis.

   • “The daughter of the man” may be used as a periphrastic synonym for “the man’s daughter”.