EUPHEMISM
EUPHEMISM
EUPHEMISM, or EUPHEMY, is when an odious or disagreeable subject, or one, the strict designation of which might be attended with some degree of offensiveness, is expressed in more gentle or leas strictly literal words, or is almost left to be understood: e.g.-Mat 8:11, where Jesus prefers to use this circumlocution to designate the Gentiles, -inasmuch as they who were present seemed unequal [as being full of Jewish prejudices] to bear this promise given to the Gentiles. Comp. Act 2:39, . The third Index of the Gnomon quotes a number of passages. Refer to this head also the modest, decorous language (verecundiam) of Scripture, which the Gnomon praises, upon Act 2:30, the note upon . Comp. the Preface of Bengel, xv., and the Title, ETHOS, above; and PERIPHRASIS, below.