Lexic.us

Definition of Phrase

1. Noun. An expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence.

2. Verb. Put into words or an expression. "He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees"

3. Noun. A short musical passage.

4. Verb. Divide, combine, or mark into phrases. "Phrase a musical passage"

5. Noun. An expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up.

6. Noun. Dance movements that are linked in a single choreographic sequence.

Definition of Phrase

1. n. A brief expression, sometimes a single word, but usually two or more words forming an expression by themselves, or being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial phrase.

2. v. t. To express in words, or in peculiar words; to call; to style.

3. v. i. To use proper or fine phrases.

Definition of Phrase

1. Noun. A short written or spoken expression. ¹

2. Noun. (grammar) A word or group of words that functions as a single unit in the syntax of a sentence, usually consisting of a head, or central word, and elaborating words. ¹

3. Noun. (music) A small section of music in a larger piece. ¹

4. Verb. (intransitive) (music) To perform a passage with the correct phrasing. ¹

5. Verb. (transitive) To express (an action, thought or idea) by means of words. ¹

6. Verb. (transitive) (music) To divide into melodic phrases. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Phrase

1. to express in words [v PHRASED, PHRASING, PHRASES]

Medical Definition of Phrase

1. 1. A brief expression, sometimes a single word, but usually two or more words forming an expression by themselves, or being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial phrase. ""Convey" the wise it call. "Steal!" foh! a fico for the phrase." (Shak) 2. A short, pithy expression; especially, one which is often employed; a peculiar or idiomatic turn of speech; as, to err is human. 3. A mode or form of speech; the manner or style in which any one expreses himself; diction; expression. "Phrases of the hearth." "Thou speak'st In better phrase and matter than thou didst." (Shak) 4. A short clause or portion of a period. A composition consists first of sentences, or periods; these are subdivided into sections, and these into phrases. Phrase book, a book of idiomatic phrases. Origin: F, fr. L. Phrasis diction, phraseology, Gr, fr. To speak. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Phrase

phragmoplasts phragmosiphon phragmosis phragmosome phragmotic phrantic phrantick phrasal phrasal idiom phrasal preposition

phrasal prepositions phrasal typology phrasal verb phrasal verbs phrasally phrase (current term) phrase-book phrase book phrase books phrase structure

phrasebook phrasebooks phrased phraseless phrasemaker phrasemakers phrasemaking phrasemakings phrasemonger phrasemongering

Literary usage of Phrase

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The American Journal of Psychology by Granville Stanley Hall, Edward Bradford Titchener (1912)
"a8o WELD W. ' There is a decided rise and fall of affective tone; it rose with the climax of the phrase. When the next phrase began there was not so much ..."

2. The English Historical Review by Mandell Creighton, Justin Winsor, Samuel Rawson Gardiner, Reginald Lane Poole, John Goronwy Edwards (1903)
"the phrase will sufficiently show its merely formal character. In the bull of Innocent III of 24 Aug. 1215, quashing Magna Carta, the pope tells how John ..."

3. Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians by George Grove (1908)
"century, is said to be of popular origin ; it is melodious and rhythmical, it has a refrain, and the tirât little phrase is four times repeated. ..."

4. The Classical Heritage of the Middle Ages by Henry Osborn Taylor (1901)
"Thus it was with some of the early devotional productions of Christian poets; there is no borrowed phrase or definite classical reminiscence in the hymns of ..."

5. The Classical Heritage of the Middle Ages by Henry Osborn Taylor (1901)
"Thus it was with some of the early devotional productions of Christian poets; there is no borrowed phrase or definite classical reminiscence in the hymns of ..."

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