1650s, from Greek euphemismos "use of a favorable word in place of an inauspicious one, superstitious avoidance of words of ill-omen during religious ceremonies," also of substitutions such [..]

Using a mild or gentle phrase instead of a blunt, embarrassing, or painful one. For instance, saying "Grandfather has gone to a better place" is a euphemism for "Grandfather [..]

(revision in progress) Excerpt:

The substitution of something more pleasant or agreeable for something that may offend or upset.

n. A figure of speech by which a phrase less offensive is substituted.

substitution of an agreeable or at least non-offensive expression for one whose plainer meaning might be harsh or unpleasant. *When the final news came, there would be a ring at the front door -- a wife in this situation finds herself staring at the front door as if she no longer owns it or controls it--and outside the door would be a man... come t [..]

The use of a more palatable word or phrase in place of a more direct or crude one.

The substitution of a mild or less negative word or phrase for a harsh or blunt one, as in the use of "pass away" instead of "die." The basic psychology of euphemistic language is the desire to put something bad or embarrassing in a positive (or at least neutral light). Thus many terms referring to death, sex, cr [..]

The substitution of a socially acceptable word or expression in place of harsh or unacceptable language. Example: “Passed away” for “died.”

Substituting a inoffensive word for a offensive or unpleasantly direct word.

(n) an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh

A euphemism is an alternative word to one which has undesirable connotations, used in order to give a more positive ‘spin’ to an expression.

(eufemisme, forskjønnende omskrivning): a way of referring to something unpleasant so as to make it appear less unpleasant. E.g. pass away (=die), relieve oneself (=urinate), put to sleep (=kill)

substitution of a harsh, offensive, or unpleasant word with one that is less so. "When the final news came, there would be a ring at the front door -- a wife in this situation finds herself st [..]

  The use of a polite, agreeable, or inoffensive word or expression in place of one that is harsh, rude, or offensive. Also, to use pleasant or inoffensive language to soften or mask upsetting truths [..]

noun_2|lie]]'' * ''correctional facility'' for ''prison'' (compare dysphemism: ''slammer'') * '''' * ''vertically challenged'' for ''short'' (physical stature; compare dysphemisms: ''midget'', ''dwar [..]

A euphemism is a nice way of saying something not so nice. We see euphemisms all the time, especially when talking about things that are, um, kind of hard to talk about, like sex, death, and race.Exam [..]