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EVPHEMISMVS, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, bona dictio∣nis mutatio, seu favorabilis locutio, a good change of a word, or a fair kind of speech: de∣rived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, [e••] bene, well or pleasingly, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, [phemi] dico, to speak; or from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, [euphemeo] faveo linguâ, aut bona verba dico, to favour in ••peech or to give pleasing wo••d's.
It is a fair kind of speech, or a modest way of expressing ones mind.
A figu••e whereby in Scripture you shall finde a fair name put on a foul vice, and a word of a good and bad signification interpreted to the bet∣ter part; and it is also when things (which would offend a most modest and chast ear) are vailed with Periphrasis, or circumlocution.
Thus in Deut. 22.9. To sanctifie is put for to defile.
Thus incest and adultery is sometimes exprest by a modest term of uncovering the nakednesse; this you have in Lev. 18.6, 20, 11, 17. Ezek. 22.10.
Thus the vessel wherein nature eases it self, is for seemlinesse vailed with the Periphrasis, a v••ssel wherein is no pleasure, and this in Jer. 22.28 & Hos. 8.8.
Thus in Prov. 5.20. Solomon most seemly ob∣serves the modesty of speech; where he saith, Let her breasts alwaies satisfie thee, why shoul∣dest thou embrace the bosome of a stranger?
Thus urine is vailed with a Circumlocution, water of the feet.