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Metaphrase

[MEH-də-frayz]

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Greek, early 17th century

1.

A literal, word-for-word translation, as opposed to a paraphrase.

Examples of Metaphrase in a sentence

"The metaphrase of “Anna Karenina” was quite impressive."

"A metaphrase isn’t always the best way to communicate to an audience."

About Metaphrase

This word, denoting a metrical translation, originates from the Greek “metaphrazein,” which means “word differently.”

Did you Know?

“Metaphrase” has a few different uses. It can be a verb, meaning “alter the phrasing or language of.” And according to the “Manual of English Rhetoric” by Andrew Dousa Hepburn, metaphrase is also the translation of poetry into prose.

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