metaphrast: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Literary, Technical (historical/literary studies)
Quick answer
What does “metaphrast” mean?
A person who translates or changes the form of a text, especially by rewording or rephrasing (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who translates or changes the form of a text, especially by rewording or rephrasing (e.g., turning poetry into prose).
More broadly, any translator or paraphraser, especially one who works with religious or classical texts, altering their style while preserving the original meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Scholarly, archaic, pertaining to classical or patristic literature.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects, encountered almost exclusively in academic texts on translation theory, hagiography, or Byzantine studies.
Grammar
How to Use “metaphrast” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] + the metaphrastthe metaphrast + of + [Text/Author]act as + a metaphrastVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metaphrast” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The scholar sought to metaphrast the ancient hymns into contemporary verse.
- One could metaphrast the legal text into plain English.
American English
- The project aimed to metaphrast the epic poem into modern prose.
- He attempted to metaphrast the technical manual for a lay audience.
adverb
British English
- The text was rendered metaphrastly, altering its poetic form but not its doctrine.
American English
- He worked metaphrastly, focusing on a literal transposition of style.
adjective
British English
- The metaphrast activity flourished in the 10th century.
- We studied the metaphrast tradition in Byzantine literature.
American English
- Her work was more metaphrast than creatively interpretive.
- The manuscript shows clear metaphrast intervention.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical linguistics, translation studies, Byzantine history, and patristics.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Used as a precise term in philology and literary history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metaphrast”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metaphrast”
- Misspelling as 'metaphorist' (a different word related to metaphors).
- Using it to mean a general 'interpreter' in modern contexts.
- Incorrect plural: 'metaphrasts' (correct) is often misspelled as 'metaphrastes'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While a metaphrast is a type of translator, the term specifically implies changing the *form* or *style* of a text (e.g., poetry to prose) while keeping the core meaning, often within a historical/religious context.
Yes, though it is exceedingly rare. To 'metaphrast' means to translate or reword in the manner of a metaphrast.
A 'paraphraser' restates something in different words for clarity or simplification, often within the same language. A 'metaphrast' historically implies a formal, often inter-lingual, transformation of a text's literary form, with a focus on fidelity to the original content.
It describes a highly specialized historical role. In modern contexts, we use broader terms like 'translator', 'adapter', or 'reviser'. Its use is confined to academic discussions of pre-modern translation practices.
A person who translates or changes the form of a text, especially by rewording or rephrasing (e.
Metaphrast is usually formal, literary, technical (historical/literary studies) in register.
Metaphrast: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛtəfræst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛt̬əˌfræst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'META-PHRASE-T': someone who works with the PHRASE on a META (changed) level.
Conceptual Metaphor
TEXT IS A GARMENT (the metaphrast changes the 'garment' of the text without altering its 'body' or core meaning).
Practice
Quiz
In which field would you most likely encounter the term 'metaphrast'?