Учебно-методический комплекс по учебной дисциплине «стилистика» для специальности «современные иностранные языки (перевод)»

Periphrasis
[p
ә′rifrәsis] is a stylistic device where the meaning of a word or phrase is 
indirectly expressed through several or many words. This way of identifying the object of 
speech is related to metonymy. The distinction between these two terms is that periphrasis 
can not be expressed by one linguistic unit; it always consists of more than one word. Thus, 

---

calling 
a gun shooter
, the speakers use a trite metonymy, calling it 
the instrument of law
, 
the 
instrument of destruction
, they use a periphrasis. This stylistic device has a long history. It 
was widely used in the Bible. Some occurrences are: 
He Who is sitting on the throng – the 
Deity
. 
In past epochs, periphrasis was also employed to achieve a more elegant manner 
of expression. Thus, Melville characterizes Renaissance as “
a high hour of renovated earth 
following the second deluge, when the waters of the Dark Ages had dried up and once more 
the green appeared
”.
In contemporary prose, periphrasis is used: 
•
to bring out and intensify some features or properties of the given object, e.g. 
Luckily 
you have a bottle of the stuff that cheers and inebriates (J.K.Jerome)
; 
•
to avoid monotonous repetition;
•
to create humorous effect.
Periphrasis may be classified into a) figurative and b) logical. Figurative periphrasis 
is based either on metaphor or on metonymy. e.g. 
The hospital was crowded with the 
surgically interesting products of fighting in Africa.
In this case the extended metonymy 
stands for 
wounded
. 
Logical periphrasis is based on one of the inherent properties or perhaps a passing 
feature of the object described, e.g. 
guardian of public order 
– 
policeman
. The periphrasis 
that has gained wide currency becomes trite and serves as a universally accepted 
periphrastic synonym, e.g.
better half, flash and blood
etc.