The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Circumlocution \Cir`cum*lo*cu"tion\, n. [L. circumlocutio, fr.
   circumloqui, -locutus, to make use of circumlocution; circum
   + loqui to speak. See Loquacious.]
   The use of many words to express an idea that might be
   expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language; a
   periphrase.
   [1913 Webster]

         the plain Billingsgate way of calling names . . . would
         save abundance of time lost by circumlocution. --Swift.
   [1913 Webster]

   Circumlocution office, a term of ridicule for a
      governmental office where business is delayed by passing
      through the hands of different officials.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

circumlocution
    n 1: a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things
         [syn: circumlocution, periphrasis, ambage]
    2: an indirect way of expressing something [syn:
       circumlocution, indirect expression]