† ecphasisn.

Etymology: Either (i) < ancient Greek ἔκϕασις declaration (in an isolated attestation (see note); < the stem of ἐκϕάναι to speak out ( < ἐκ- (see ex- prefix²) + ϕάναι to say: see phatic adj.) + -σις -sis suffix), or perhaps (ii) an error for ekphrasis n., with the second element probably being assumed to be a derivative of ancient Greek ϕάναι to say.Compare the following slightly later dictionary example, which is directly based on quot. 1706, but where the reading is changed to ecphrasis (see ekphrasis n.) in a later edition:1708 J. Kersey Dict. Anglo-Britannicum Ecphasis [1715 Ecphrasis], (in Rhetor.) a plain declaration or interpretation of a thing.