Definition of: periphrastic

(per′ə·fras′tik) adjective
1. Of the nature of or involving periphrasis; employing indirect words; circumlocutory.
2. Gram. Denoting a construction in which a phrase is substituted for an inflected form of similar function, as, the hat of John for John's hat. Also per′i·phras′ti·cal.
—per′i·phras′ti·cal·ly adverb