1. semiquote - Noun
2. semiquote - Verb
A single quotation mark, ('). This is often used for a quote within a quote, as in "Tom said 'What?'"
A punctuation mark to indicate that the text is a semi-quote, i.e. a close paraphrase that uses some of the author's original words.
(informal) A partly paraphrased quotation.
"A fanatic is someone who will not change his mind or the subject of discussion" is a semiquote of Winston Churchill.
semiquote (third-person singular simple present semiquotes, present participle semiquoting, simple past and past participle semiquoted)
To make a close paraphrase of a quotation, using some of its words.