The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Periphrasis \Pe*riph"ra*sis\, n.; pl. Periphrases. [L.]
   See Periphrase.
   [1913 Webster] Periphrastic

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

periphrasis
    n 1: a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things
         [syn: circumlocution, periphrasis, ambage]

Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

PERIPHRASIS. Circumlocution; the use of other words to express the sense of
one.
     2. Some words are so technical in their meaning that in charging
offences in indictments they must be used or the indictment will not be
sustained; for example, an indictment for treason must contain the word
traitorously; (q.v.) an indictment for burglary, burglariously; ( q.v.) and
feloniously (q.v.) must be introduced into every indictment for felony. 1
Chitty's Cr. Law, 242; 3 Inst. 15; Carth. 319; 2 Hale, P. C. 172; 184;, 4
Bl. Com. 307; Hawk B. 2, c. 25, s. 55; 1 East P. C. 115; Bac. Ab.
Indictment, G 1; Com. ]Dig. Indictment, G 6 Cro. C. C. 37.