1. literal word-for-word translations from one language to another
Usage: literary; translation studies

Examples

• The student’s metaphrases of the Latin text were accurate but awkward in English.
• Medieval scholars often produced metaphrases of Greek works into Latin.
• The professor criticized the metaphrases for lacking natural flow in the target language.
• Early Bible translations were often metaphrases that prioritized literal accuracy.
• Modern translators avoid strict metaphrases in favor of more readable adaptations.
• The metaphrases preserved the original word order but lost the poetic beauty.