periphrasis

перифраз

a) using a roundabout form of expression instead of a simpler one

b) using a more or less complicated syntactical structure instead of a word

They are classified into figurative periphrasis (metaphoric periphrasis or metonymic periphrasis) and logical periphrasis (euphemistic periphrasis)

Source: V.A.K.

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a device which, according to Webster's dictionary, denotes the use of a longer phrasing in place of a possible shorter and plainer form of expression

- aims at pointing to one of the seemingly insignificant or barely noticeable features or properties of the given object, and intensifies this property by naming the object by the property;

- makes the reader perceive the new appellation against the background of the one existing in the language code and the twofold simultaneous perception secures the stylistic effect;

- like simile, has a certain cognitive function inasmuch as in deepens our knowledge of the phenomenon described;

I understand you are poor, and wish to earn money by nursing the little boy, my son, who has so prematurely deprived of what can never be replaced. [= mother] (Ch.Dickens)

The lamp-lighter made his nightly failure in attempting to brighten up the street with gas. [= lit the street lamps] (Ch.Dickens)

If a periphrastic locution is understandable outside the context, it is not a stylistic device but merely a synonymous expression.

the cap and gown (student body); a gentleman of the long robe (a lowyer); the fair sex (women); my better half (my wife)

Source: I.R.G.

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троп, состоящий в замене названия предмета описательным оборотом с указанием его существенных, характерных признаков (I.V.A.)

The beast that bears me. (horse) (W.Shakespeare - L)

See: euphemism, lexico-syntactical SDs