v. [ad. Gr. εὐφημίζειν to speak fair, use auspicious words, f. εὔφημος: see EUPHEMIOUS.] a. trans. To express by a euphemism; to speak of euphemistically. b. intr. To speak euphemistically; to make use of euphemisms.
1857. Sir F. Palgrave, Norm. & Eng., II. 1. The agreeable cheat we pass upon ourselves by euphemizing sins.
1872. Lever, Ld. Kilgobbin, lxiii. What Sheil used to euphemize as ‘the wild justice’ of noble spirits.
1880. Blackw. Mag., Feb., 253. Euphemise and moralise as our humanitarian sophists may.
1888. Standard, 24 Feb., 5/2. They euphemise gambling bargains as ‘special transactions.’
