circumlocution
noun
The use of many words where fewer would do; indirect or roundabout expression; evasive speech.
Etymology
From Latin circumlocutio meaning "a speaking around," from circum (around) + loqui (to speak).
Examples in Use
- 1.
"His circumlocution made it hard to understand his actual position."
- 2.
"Politicians often use circumlocution to avoid direct answers."
- 3.
"Legal documents are notorious for their circumlocution."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
In Charles Dickens' "Little Dorrit," the Circumlocution Office is a satire of bureaucracy - an agency that exists only to avoid doing anything through endless paperwork and delays.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 14 letters (C, I, R, C, U, M, L, O, C, U, T, I, O, N)
Scrabble Value: 22 points
Tip: The letter pattern in "CIRCUMLOCUTION" appears in many related words.
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