circumlocution

From Latin circumlocūtiō (“the act of speaking around; circumlocution, periphrasis”). Surface analysis circum- (“around”) +‎ locution (“talk”); see these for related terms. Probably a calque of Ancient Greek περίφρασις (períphrasis, “periphrasis”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌsɜː(ɹ)kəmləˈkjuːʃən/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌsɝɹkəmˌləˈkjuʃən/
• Rhymes: -uːʃən
• Hyphenation: cir‧cum‧lo‧cu‧tion

circumlocution (countable and uncountable, plural circumlocutions)

1. A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.
2. A roundabout expression.

• periphrasis
• ambages

• beat around the bush
• go around the houses
• euphemism
• mince words, mince matters
• equivocation (the use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, possibly intentionally and with the aim of misleading)
• evasive (tending to avoid speaking openly or making revelations about oneself)
• prevarication (evasion of the truth; deceit, evasiveness)
• hedge (to avoid verbal commitment)
• waffle (to speak or write vaguely and evasively; to speak or write at length without any clear point or aim)