PHRASE, noun s as z. [Gr. to speak.] 1. A short sentence or expression. A phrase may be complete, as when it conveys complete sense, as humanum est errare, to err is human; or it may be incomplete, as when it consists of several words without affirming any thing, or when the noun and the verb do the office of a noun only; as, that which is true, that is, truth, satisfied the mind. 2. A particular mode of speech; a peculiar sentence of short idiomatic expression; as a Hebrew phrase; an Italian phrase 3. Style; expression. Thou speak'st In better phrase 4. In music, any regular symmetrical course of notes which begin and complete the intended expression. PHRASE, verb transitive To call; to style; to express in words or in peculiar words. These suns, For so they phrase them.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI