1.  phrase(n = noun.communication) - an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence;
is a kind of construction, expression, grammatical construction
has parts: head word, headword, modifier, qualifier
has particulars: nominal, nominal phrase, noun phrase, predicate, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, pronominal, pronominal phrase, response, catch phrase, catchphrase
Derived forms adjective phrasal₁, verb phrase₁

2.  phrase(n = noun.communication) musical phrase - a short musical passage;
is a kind of musical passage, passage
is a part of air, line, melodic line, melodic phrase, melody, strain, tune
has particulars: ligature, ostinato
Derived form adjective phrasal₁

3.  phrase(n = noun.communication) idiom, idiomatic expression, phrasal idiom, set phrase - an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up;
is a kind of expression, locution, saying
has particulars: ruralism, rusticism
Derived forms adjective phrasal₁, verb phrase₁

4.  phrase(n = noun.act) - dance movements that are linked in a single choreographic sequence;
is a kind of dance, dancing, saltation, terpsichore
Derived form adjective phrasal₁

1.  phrase(v = verb.communication) articulate, formulate, give voice, word - put into words or an expression; "He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees"
is one way to evince, express, show
Derived forms noun phrase₁, noun phrase₃, noun phrasing₂
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

2.  phrase(v = verb.communication) - divide, combine, or mark into phrases; "phrase a musical passage"
is one way to arrange, order, put, set up
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

1.  A brief expression, sometimes a single word, but usually two or more words forming an expression by themselves, or being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial phrase. [1913 Webster]
"“Convey” the wise it call. “Steal!” foh! a fico for the phrase." [1913 Webster]

2.  A short, pithy expression; especially, one which is often employed; a peculiar or idiomatic turn of speech; as, to err is human. [1913 Webster]

3.  A mode or form of speech; the manner or style in which any one expreses himself; diction; expression. Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
"Thou speak'st
In better phrase and matter than thou didst." [1913 Webster]

4.  A short clause or portion of a period. [1913 Webster]
" A composition consists first of sentences, or periods; these are subdivided into sections, and these into phrases." [1913 Webster]

   To express in words, or in peculiar words; to call; to style. Shak. [1913 Webster]

1.  To use proper or fine phrases. [1913 Webster]

2.  To group notes into phrases; as, he phrases well. See Phrase, n., 4. [1913 Webster]

phrase, n. & v.
--n.
1 a group of words forming a conceptual unit, but not a sentence.
2 an idiomatic or short pithy expression.
3 a manner or mode of expression (a nice turn of phrase).
4 Mus. a group of notes forming a distinct unit within a larger piece.
--v.tr.
1 express in words (phrased the reply badly).
2 (esp. when reading aloud or speaking) divide (sentences etc.) into units so as to convey the meaning of the whole.
3 Mus. divide (music) into phrases etc. in performance.

Idiom:
phrase book a book for tourists etc. listing useful expressions with their equivalent in a foreign language.

Derivative:
phrasing n.

Etymology:
earlier phrasis f. L f. Gk f. phrazo declare, tell

N  word, term, vocable, name, phrase, root, etymon, derivative, part of speech, ideophone, dictionary, vocabulary, lexicon, glossary, index, concordance, thesaurus, gradus, delectus, etymology, derivation, glossology, terminology orismology, paleology, lexicography, glossographer, lexicologist, verbarian, verbal, literal, titular, nominal, conjugate, paronymous, derivative, verbally, verbatim, the artillery of words.

N  phrase, expression, set phrase, sentence, paragraph, figure of speech, idiom, idiotism, turn of expression, style, paraphrase, periphrase, motto, phraseology, expressed, idiomatic, in round terms, in set terms, in good set terms, set terms, in set phrases.

VB  express, phrase, word, word it, give words to, give expression to, voice, arrange in words, clothe in words, put into words, express by words, couch in terms, find words to express, speak by the card, call, denominate, designate, dub.

N  concord, accord, harmony, symphony, homologue, agreement, sympathy, empathy, response, union, unison, unity, bonds of harmony, peace, unanimity, league, happy family, rapprochement, reunion, amity, alliance, entente cordiale, good understanding, conciliation, peacemaker, intercessor, mediator, concordant, congenial, agreeing, in accord, harmonious, united, cemented, banded together, allied, friendly, fraternal, conciliatory, at one with, of one mind, at peace, in still water, tranquil, with one voice, in concert with, hand in hand, on one's side, commune periculum concordiam parit, melody concord, melody, rhythm, measure, rhyme, pitch, timbre, intonation, tone, scale, gamut, diapason, diatonic chromatic scale, enharmonic scale, key, clef, chords, modulation, temperament, syncope, syncopation, preparation, suspension, resolution, staff, stave, line, space, brace, bar, rest, appoggiato, appoggiatura, acciaccatura, note, musical note, notes of a scale, sharp, flat, natural, high note, low note, interval, semitone, second, third, fourth, diatessaron, breve, semibreve, minim, crotchet, quaver, semiquaver, demisemiquaver, hemidemisemiquaver, sustained note, drone, burden, tonic, key note, leading note, fundamental note, supertonic, mediant, dominant, submediant, subdominant, octave, tetrachord, major key, minor key, major scale, minor scale, major mode, minor mode, passage, phrase, concord, harmony, emmeleia, unison, unisonance, chime, homophony, euphony, euphonism, tonality, consonance, consent, part, harmony, harmonics, thorough-bass, fundamental-bass, counterpoint, faburden, piece of music, composer, harmonist, contrapuntist (musician), harmonious, harmonical, in concord, in tune, in concert, unisonant, concentual, symphonizing, isotonic, homophonous, assonant, ariose, consonant, measured, rhythmical, diatonic, chromatic, enharmonic, melodious, musical, melic, tuneful, tunable, sweet, dulcet, canorous, mellow, mellifluous, soft, clear, clear as a bell, silvery, euphonious, euphonic, euphonical, symphonious, enchanting fine-toned, full-toned, silver-toned, harmoniously, in harmony, as one, the hidden soul of harmony.

N  metaphor, figure of speech, facon de parler, way of speaking, colloquialism, phrase, figure, trope, metaphor, enallage, catachresis, metonymy, synecdoche, autonomasia, irony, figurativeness, image, imagery, metalepsis, type, anagoge, simile, personification, prosopopoeia, allegory, apologue, parable, fable, allusion, adumbration, application, exaggeration, hyperbole, association, association of ideas (analogy), metaphorical, figurative, catachrestical, typical, tralatitious, parabolic, allegorical, allusive, anagogical, ironical, colloquial, tropical, so to speak, so to say, so to express oneself, as it were, mutato nomine de te fabula narratur.

catch phrase, melodic phrase, musical phrase, nominal phrase, noun phrase, phrase book, phrase structure, prepositional phrase, pronominal phrase, set phrase, turn of phrase, verb phrase