Category:Circumlocution

Cir`cum*lo*cu"tion, n. Etym: [L. circumlocutio, fr. circumloqui, - locutus, to make use of circumlocution; circum + loqui to speak. See Loquacious.]

Defn: The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language; a periphrese. the plain Billingagate way of calling names. . . would save abundance of time lost by circumlocution. Swift. Circumlocution office, a term of riducle for a governmental office where business is delayed by passing through the hands of different officials.