circumlocution Copy link Outline 1. circumlŏcūtĭo2. pĕriphrăsis, is, f.3. ambĭtus, ūs4. circuĭtus, ūs (like ambitus, with some defining word)5. ambāges, is, f., (in sing. only abl.; pl. complete • circumlocution: 1. circumlŏcūtĭo: Quint.: Gell. 2. pĕriphrăsis, is, f.: Quint. 3. ambĭtus, ūs: (with some defining word): to express a thing by c., per am. verborum rem nuntiare, Suet.: Liv. 4. circuĭtus, ūs (like ambitus, with some defining word): to express anything by c., per circuitus loqui aliquid, Mart.: c.s, circuitus verborum, Cic. 5. ambāges, is, f., (in sing. only abl.; pl. complete: esp. used of the dark, ambiguous phrase employed by oracles: v. ambiguity): Virg.: Liv. Phr.: very many things are without names, so that they must be expressed either by figures or by c., res plurimae carent appellationibus, ut eas necesse sit transferre aut circumire, Quint.