PHRASE is sometimes also used for a short sentence
or small set or circuit of words constructed together.
In this sense, Father Buffier divides phrases into com-
plete and incomplete.
Phrases are complete where there is a noun and a
verb, each in its proper function; i. e. where the noun
expresses a subject, and the verb the thing affirmed
of it.
Incomplete phrases are those where the noun and the
verb together only do the office of a noun; consisting
of several words without affirming any thing, and which
might be expressed in a single word. Thus, that which
is true, is an incomplete phrase, which might be ex-
pressed in one word, truth; as, that which is true satis-
fies the mind, i. e. truth satisfies the mind.