| 释义 |
euphemism
eu·phe·mism E0238300 (yo͞o′fə-mĭz′əm)n.1. A mild, indirect, or vague term for one that is considered harsh, blunt, or offensive: "Euphemisms such as 'slumber room' ... abound in the funeral business" (Jessica Mitford).2. The use of such terms: "Euphemism is common in hospital and medical facilities where bodily functions need to be discussed" (Diane F. Halpern).
[Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein, to use auspicious words, from euphēmiā, use of auspicious words : eu-, eu- + phēmē, speech; see bhā- in Indo-European roots.]
eu′phe·mist n.eu′phe·mis′tic (-mĭs′tĭk) adj.eu′phe·mis′ti·cal·ly adv.euphemism (ˈjuːfɪˌmɪzəm) n1. (Linguistics) 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 urinate2. (Linguistics) the use of such inoffensive words or phrases[C17: from Greek euphēmismos, from eu- + phēmē speech] ˌeupheˈmistic adj ˌeupheˈmistically adveu•phe•mism (ˈyu fəˌmɪz əm)
n. 1. the substitution of a mild or indirect expression for one thought to be offensive or blunt. 2. the expression so substituted: “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.” [1650–60; < Greek euphēmismós; see euphemize, -ism] eu′phe•mist, n. eu`phe•mis′tic, eu`phe•mis′ti•cal, adj. eu`phe•mis′ti•cal•ly, adv. euphemism1. the deliberate or polite use of a pleasant or neutral word or expression to avoid the emotional implications of a plain term, as passed over for died.
2. an instance of such use. Cf. dysphemism, genteelism. — euphemist, n. — euphemistic, euphemistical, euphemious, adj.See also: LanguageeuphemismAn inoffensive substitute for a distasteful word or phrase.Thesaurus| Noun | 1. | euphemism - an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harshneutralisation, neutralization - (euphemism) the removal of a threat by killing or destroying it (especially in a covert operation or military operation)locution, saying, expression - a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations; "pardon the expression"exit, expiration, going, passing, departure, release, loss - euphemistic expressions for death; "thousands mourned his passing"collateral damage - (euphemism) inadvertent casualties and destruction inflicted on civilians in the course of military operationssanitation department - the department of local government responsible for collecting and disposing of garbagebowel movement, bm, movement - a euphemism for defecation; "he had a bowel movement"making water, passing water, wetting, leak - a euphemism for urination; "he had to take a leak"dysphemism - an offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one; "his favorite dysphemism was to ask for axle grease when he wanted butter" |
euphemismnoun polite term, substitute, understatement, alternative word, alternative expression, genteelism The term 'early retirement' is often a euphemism for `redundancy'.euphemismnounThe use or an instance of equivocal language:ambiguity, equivocation, equivoque, hedge, prevarication, shuffle, tergiversation, weasel word.Informal: waffle.Translationseuphemism (ˈjuːfəmizəm) noun a pleasant name for something that is unpleasant. `Pass on' is a euphemism for `die'. 委婉語 委婉语ˌeupheˈmistic adjective 委婉的 委婉的Euphemism
Euphemism the replacement of coarse or offensive words and expressions with less offensive ones or of certain names with conventional designations. Euphemisms are the result of lexical taboos imposed by various prejudices, superstitions, and religious beliefs on the use of the names for specific objects and phenomena in life, thus necessitating other means of expression. In the early stages of social development of many Indo-European peoples, the names of various animals were euphemisms. Thus, the Russian word medved’ (“bear”) is an artificially created compound meaning “honey-eater”; it replaced an earlier word, which was placed under taboo because of mythological beliefs. Among professional hunters the word medved’ subsequently underwent a second taboo and was replaced with new euphemisms, such as khoziain (“master”), mokhnach (“hairy one”), and lomaka (“bone breaker”). When taboos are rooted in superstition and prejudice, euphemisms arise for the words for death and illnesses. Thus, Russian umer (“he died”) is replaced with otpravilsia k praotsam (“he went to join his forefathers”), otdal bogu dushu (“he gave his soul to god”), or prikazal dolgo zhit’ (“he ordered a long life”). In a civilized society one of the principal causes for the use of euphemisms is etiquette, which bans the use of coarse or indecent expressions. Thus, instead of saying “you are lying,” one says “you are inventing things,” “you are mistaken,” or “you are not entirely correct.” Physicians often use Latin names for illnesses or special medical terms: in Russian, “cancer” and “tbc” (both spelled with Latin letters) may be used for the standard Russian terms rak and tuberkulez; smert’ (“death”) may be replaced by letal’nyi iskhod (“fatal outcome”). In modern societies, euphemisms are also used to impose censorship on the revelation of military and state secrets. In such cases the proper names of countries, cities, and military units are replaced by letters and conventional designations, such as “N” and “Nth,” or by descriptive expressions, such as “a neighboring power.” Some jargons, in addition to embellishments and euphemisms, also use reverse euphemisms, or dysphemisms, which involve the replacement of neutral expressions with coarser, more familiar, or more vulgar ones. Thus, Russian dat’ duba (literally, “to give the oak”), sygrat’ v iashchik (literally, “to play the box”), and skopytit’sia (literally, “to be knocked off one’s feet”) may be used for the neutral umeret’ (“to die”). Such substitutions sometimes serve the purpose of disguising the meaning of conversations likely to be overheard. REFERENCESReformatskii, A. A. Vvedenie v iazykoznanie, 4th ed. Moscow, 1967.
Bonfante, G. “Etudes sur le tabou dans les langues indoeuropéennes.” In the collection Mélanges de linguistique offerts à Charles Bally. Geneva, 1939.A. M. KUZNETSOV euphemism
Synonyms for euphemismnoun polite termSynonyms- polite term
- substitute
- understatement
- alternative word
- alternative expression
- genteelism
Synonyms for euphemismnoun the use or an instance of equivocal languageSynonyms- ambiguity
- equivocation
- equivoque
- hedge
- prevarication
- shuffle
- tergiversation
- weasel word
- waffle
Antonyms for euphemismnoun an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harshRelated Words- neutralisation
- neutralization
- locution
- saying
- expression
- exit
- expiration
- going
- passing
- departure
- release
- loss
- collateral damage
- sanitation department
- bowel movement
- bm
- movement
- making water
- passing water
- wetting
- leak
Antonyms |