declamation

American  

[dek-luh-mey-shuhn] / ˌdɛk ləˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or art of declaiming.

2. exercise in oratory or elocution, as in the recitation of a classic speech.

3. speech or writing for oratorical effect.

4. Music. the proper enunciation of the words, as in recitative.

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declamation British  

/ ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. a rhetorical or emotional speech, made esp in order to protest or condemn; tirade

2. a speech, verse, etc, that is or can be spoken

3. the act or art of declaiming

4. music the artistry or technique involved in singing recitative passages

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Etymology

Origin of declamation

1350–1400; < Latin dēclāmātiōn- (stem of dēclāmātiō ), equivalent to dēclāmāt ( us ) (past participle of dēclāmāre to declaim; see -ate ¹) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A declamation is a long, impassioned speech. Your heartfelt declamation to the school board about the quality of food in your school cafeteria may inspire the addition of a salad bar. Like a tirade or a rant, a declamation has a lot of strong feelings behind it. There's more formality to a declamation, though — imagine a heartfelt and fiery response on a debate stage. The original 14th century definition was "a composition written to be declaimed," or delivered with passion and rhetoric.

Example Sentences

"Declamation roar'd, while passion slept," said Dr. Johnson of the ranting style of early 18th century acting.

From Time Magazine Archive

Declamation and gesture have been rubbed by custom until they shine like polished pendants.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mr. Preston has desired me to bring him up this evening two or three subjects for a Declamation.

From Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay Volume 1 by Trevelyan, George Otto, Sir

Declamation will find its echo in vacant places: it beats ineffectually on the well-furnished mind.

From Imaginary Conversations and Poems A Selection by Landor, Walter Savage

Declamation and sophistry are made comparatively harmless by running in a thousand conflicting currents.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 20, No. 562, Saturday, August 18, 1832. by Various