Metaphrase
/ˈmɛtəˌfreɪz/noun
A translation that renders a text very literally, word for word.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek roots meaning “beyond” and “speak,” and it entered English through early debates over how sacred or powerful a text should be translated.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
metaphrasis
“a literal rendering or rewording”
Late Greek
Greek
metaphrastēs
“one who translates or rewrites literally”
Late Latin
Latin
metaphrasis
“literal translation or paraphrase”
14th Century
English
metaphrase
“a very literal translation”
Modern English
English
metaphrase
“a translation that closely follows the wording of the original”