Stylistic devices making use of the meaning of language units
Periphrasis This is a device by which a longer phrase is used instead of a shorter and plainer one; it is a case of circumlocution (a round- about way of description), which is used in literary descriptions for greater expressiveness. Periphrasis. Examples: The notion of king may be poetically represented as the protector of earls; the victor lord; the giver of lands; a battle = a play of swords; a saddle = a battle-seat, a soldier = a shield-bearer, God = Our Lord, Almighty, Goodness, Heavens, the Skies. In poetry: a disturber of the piano keys = a pianist (O. Henry). an elongated yellow fruit = banana (Charles W. Morton)