n. [ Gr. meta`frasis, from metafra`zein to paraphrase; meta` beyond, over + fra`zein to speak: cf. F. métaphrase. ] 1. A verbal translation; a version or translation from one language into another, word for word; a literal translation; -- opposed to paraphrase. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An answering phrase; repartee. Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Translated literally. [ 1913 Webster ]