circumlocutionary

English

WOTD – 1 May 2007

Etymology

circumlocution and -ary. Originally from Latin circumlocutio, literally speaking (locutio) in a circle (circum).

Pronunciation

(Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃənəɹi/
(US) IPA^(key): /ˌsɝːkəmləˈkjuːʃənɛɹi/
Audio (US) (file)

Adjective

circumlocutionary (comparative more circumlocutionary, superlative most circumlocutionary)

Articulated in a roundabout manner; tautological or with repetitive language.
The old man's rambling yarn was circumlocutionary.
(of speech) Evasive, avoiding difficult questions or key points.
The politician was being circumlocutionary; he refused to answer any of the journalist's questions.

Translations

Articulated in roundabout manner; tautological

Evasive, avoiding difficult questions or key points

Finnish: kiertelevä (fi), ympäripyöreä (fi)

Swedish: undanglidande

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