Paraphrasis

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A literary device involving the restatement of a text or passage in different words, often to clarify meaning ; the act of rewording to achieve clearer expression ; the process of translating or interpreting into another form using alternative phrasing
  2. The technique of expressing the content of a statement, piece of writing, or idea with new words to simplify, explain, or elaborate ; the action of rephrasing for better understanding ; rendering information in another linguistic structure
  3. The process of conveying the sense of a message by substituting original wording with different language to aid comprehension ; reworking a source material with varied terminology ; communicating by means of alternative expressions

Etymology: This noun traces back to the Greek "paráphrasis," which means "a rewording or explanation." The term is composed of two parts: "para-" meaning "beside" or "alongside," and "phrasis," which comes from "phrazein," meaning "to speak" or "to show." Together, they form the idea of speaking alongside or alongside an original statement, essentially rephrasing or restating it. The word entered English through Latin and scholarly usage, particularly in the context of rhetoric and literary criticism. In the Renaissance, when classical texts were being studied and translated extensively, "paraphrasis" was used to describe the practice of restating a passage to clarify or interpret its meaning without adding new information. It was a technical term in education, especially in grammar and rhetoric. Over time, the concept behind the word broadened from a strict rhetorical exercise to a more general practice of expressing ideas in different words. This shift mirrors the evolution of language study from formal schooling to broader literary and everyday uses. The term remains somewhat specialized today, often appearing in academic contexts discussing translation, commentary, or the art of expression. Its lineage highlights a longstanding human effort to clarify and communicate ideas more effectively by restating them, a practice as old as language itself but given a precise name through classical scholarship.

Synonyms: paraphrase, restatement, rewording, rephrasing, translation