# phrase

Pronunciation: say "FRAYZ" /fɹeɪz/

## Noun

1. A short written or spoken expression made up of a few words.
   - Simple: A small group of words used together to say or write something.
   - _The speech ended with a memorable phrase that the crowd repeated._
   - _Greeting cards often rely on a few warm phrases to convey feeling._
2. A group of words, or sometimes a single word, that works as one unit in a sentence's structure, built around a central head word.
   - Simple: A word or group of words that works as one unit in a sentence.
   - _A phrase functions as a single grammatical unit even when it contains several words._
   - _Editors learn to identify the phrases within a complex sentence before rearranging them._
4. A small section of music that forms one unit within a larger piece.
   - Simple: A short part of a longer piece of music.
   - _The violinist shaped each phrase with a subtle swell in volume._
   - _The opening phrases of the symphony return near the finale._
5. One short, self-contained movement within the choreography of a dance.
   - Simple: A short single movement that is part of a dance.
   - _The choreographer added a sweeping phrase to the second act._
   - _The dancers linked several phrases into a flowing sequence._

## Verb

3. To express a thought, action, or idea by choosing particular words.
   - Simple: To say or write something using certain words.
   - _She phrased the apology so carefully that no one could take offense._
   - _Politicians often phrase promises vaguely to avoid later blame._
6. To perform a passage of music with a particular shaping of its notes.
   - Simple: To play or sing a part of music in a certain way.
   - _The cellist phrased the long melody as a single arc of sound._
   - _Skilled wind players phrase by shaping each breath._
7. To divide a piece of music into separate melodic sections.
   - Simple: To break a piece of music into short parts.
   - _The arranger phrased the chorale to clarify its underlying harmonic rhythm._
   - _Performers must phrase the long line before they can interpret it._

## Noun

8. A manner or form of speech, including a person's diction and way of expression. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: A way of speaking or the choice of words someone uses.
   - _The ambassador's measured phrase won the respect of the court._
   - _Readers praised the essayist for a phrase both clear and dignified._

## Origin

The word comes from Late Latin 'phrasis' ('diction'), from Ancient Greek 'phrásis' ('manner of expression'), which came from 'phrázō', meaning 'I tell, express'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/phrase (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).