Cĭr'cum-lo-cū'tion, n.

n. [Lat. circumlocutio, from circumloqui, from circum, around, and loqui, to speak, locutio, a speaking.] A circuit or compass of words; a periphrase; the use of a number of words to express an idea, when a suitable term is not at hand, or when a speaker chooses to avoid the use of a single term. “Synonyms and circumlocutions for massacre and murder.” Burke.