| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024eu•phe•mism /ˈyufəˌmɪzəm/USA pronunciation n. - Rhetoric[uncountable] the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
- Rhetoric[countable] word or expression so substituted: "To pass away'' is a euphemism for "to die.''
eu•phe•mis•tic, adj. eu•phe•mis•ti•cal•ly, adv. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024eu•phe•mism (yo̅o̅′fə miz′əm),USA pronunciation n. - Rhetoricthe substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
- Rhetoricthe expression so substituted:"To pass away'' is a euphemism for "to die.''
- Greek euphēmismós the use of words of good omen, equivalent. to eu- eu- + phé̄m(ē) speaking, fame + -ismos -ism
- 1650–60;
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: euphemism /ˈjuːfɪˌmɪzəm/ n - an inoffensive word or phrase substituted for one considered offensive or hurtful, esp one concerned with religion, sex, death, or excreta. Examples of euphemisms are sleep with for have sexual intercourse with; departed for dead; relieve oneself for urinate
- the use of such inoffensive words or phrases
Etymology: 17th Century: from Greek euphēmismos, from eu- + phēmē speechˌeupheˈmistic adj ˌeupheˈmistically adv |