euphemism Main Entry: eu·phe·mismPronunciation: 'yü-f&-"mi-z&mFunction: nounEtymology: Greek euphEmismos, from euphEmos auspicious, sounding good, from eu- + phEmE speech, from phanai to speak -- more at BAN: the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant; also : the expression so substituted- eu·phe·mist /-mist/ noun- eu·phe·mis·tic /"yü-f&-'mis-tik/ adjective- eu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb -M. Webster The government works hard to put a positive spin on the bad news that what they want to do is kill all our livestock. They use words like depopulate: depopulate Main Entry: de·pop·u·latePronunciation: (")dE-'pä-py&-"lAtFunction: transitive verbEtymology: Latin depopulatus, past participle...
