Webster's English Dictionary

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phrase

1. phrase \'fra-z\ n [L phrasis, fr. Gk, fr. phrazein to point out, 
   explain, tell] 1: a characteristic manner of style or expression : DICTION  
   2a: a brief expression; esp : CATCHWORD  2b: WORD  3: a short musical 
   thought typically two to four measures long closing with  a cadence 4: a 
   group of two or more grammatically related words that form a sense uni t 
   expressing a thought either in a fragmentary manner or as a sentence 
   element not containing a predication but having the force of a single part 
   of speech
2. phrase vt 1a: to express in words or in appropriate or telling terms : 
   WORD  1b: to designate by a descriptive word or phrase : TERM  2: to divide 
   into melodic phrases