Definition of paraphrase

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< paraphilia

paraphrastic >

par·a·phrase    (pr-frz) KEY 

NOUN:

1. A restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify meaning.
2. The restatement of texts in other words as a studying or teaching device.

VERB:
par·a·phrased, par·a·phras·ing, par·a·phras·es
VERB:
tr.

To restate in a paraphrase.

VERB:
intr.

To compose a paraphrase.

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ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Latin paraphrasis, from Greek, from paraphrazein, to paraphrase : para-, alongside ; see para-¹ + phrazein, to show, explain; see g^whren- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
para·phrasa·ble(Adjective), para·phraser(Noun)