Met″a‐phrase (mĕt″ȧ‐frāz), n. [Gr. μετάφρασισ, from μεταφράζειν to paraphrase; μετά beyond, over + φράζειν to speak: cf. F. métaphrase.] 1. A verbal translation; a version or translation from one language into another, word for word; — opposed to paraphrase. Dryden.
2. An answering phrase; repartee. Mrs. Browning.