Literary notes about phraseology (AI summary)
Writers employ "phraseology" to denote the distinctive arrangement and style of words that reflect the character of a particular community, era, or subject matter. In some works, it highlights a specialized vocabulary tied to regional or cultural identity, as seen in the characterization of Scottish idioms [1] or the unique language of English usage [2]. At times, it designates the formal or even antiquated expressions found in legal, military, or political contexts—whether referring to the conventional language of political congregations [3] or the stylistic choices reminiscent of historic rhetoric [4, 5]. Authors also use the term to comment on the evolution or deliberate manipulation of linguistic style, such as the imitated manners of a celebrated writer [6] or the crafted language in narrative dialogue [7]. In this way, phraseology becomes a lens through which literature examines the subtleties and influences embedded in expressive language.
- In fact, in Scottish proverbs will be found an epitome of the Scottish phraseology, which is peculiar and characteristic.
— from Reminiscences of Scottish Life & Character by Edward Bannerman Ramsay - That English phraseology should be construed according to English usage.
— from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I - The General Assembly was, in fact, precisely similar to those political congregations which, in our modern phraseology, we term "mass meetings."
— from The Principles of Masonic Law by Albert Gallatin Mackey - His own country’s pronouncement was uttered in the passionless and definite phraseology a machine would use, if machines could speak.
— from Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad - The influence of this revolution in social conditions is as much felt in style as it is in phraseology.
— from Democracy in America — Volume 2 by Alexis de Tocqueville - She thought her the model of all excellence and endeavoured to imitate her phraseology and manners, so that even now she often reminds me of her.
— from Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley - The well-known glib phraseology passed rapidly through my mind in the interval before Poirot opened the proceedings.
— from The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
