Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PHRASE, n. [s as z. Gr. φρασις, from φραζω, to speak.]

1. A short sentence or expression. A phrase may be complete, as when it conveys complete sense, as humanum est errare, to err is human; or it may be incomplete, as when it consists of several words without affirming any thing, or when the noun and the verb do the office of a noun only; as, that which is true, that is, truth, satisfies the mind. – Encyc.
2. A particular mode of speech; a peculiar sentence or short idiomatic expression; as, a Hebrew phrase; an Italian phrase.
3. Style; expression. Thou speak'st / In better phrase. – Shak.
4. In music, any regular symmetrical course of notes which begin and complete the intended expression. – Busby.