paraphrase

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify meaning.
2. n. The restatement of texts in other words as a studying or teaching device.
3. v. To restate in a paraphrase.
4. v. To compose a paraphrase.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A restatement of a text or passage, giving the sense of the original in other words, generally in fuller terms and with greater detail, for the sake of clearer and more complete exposition: opposed to metaphrase. When the original is in a foreign language, translation and paraphrase may be combined.
2. n. Specifically, in Scotland, one of sixty-seven versified renderings of as many selected passages of Scripture, usually bound up with the metrical psalms, and like them sung in church, etc.
3. n. In instrumental music, a transcription; a variation. Also paraphrasis.
4. To restate or translate with latitude; interpret; construe; unfold and express the sense of (an author) with greater clearness and particularity by substituting other words for his own.
5. To interpret or amplify by change of words; make a paraphrase.

Wiktionary

1. n. A restatement of a text in different words, often to clarify meaning.
2. v. To restate something as, or to compose a paraphrase.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A restatement of a text, passage, or work, expressing the meaning of the original in another form, generally for the sake of its clearer and fuller exposition; a setting forth the signification of a text in other and ampler terms; a free translation or rendering; -- opposed to metaphrase.
2. v. To express, interpret, or translate with latitude; to give the meaning of a passage in other language.
3. v. To make a paraphrase.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. express the same message in different words
2. n. rewording for the purpose of clarification