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elocution

[el-uh-kyoo-shuh n]
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noun
  1. a person's manner of speaking or reading aloud in public: The actor's elocution is faultless.
  2. the study and practice of oral delivery, including the control of both voice and gesture.
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Origin of elocution

1500–10; < Latin ēlocūtiōn- (stem of ēlocūtiō) a speaking out, equivalent to ē- e-1 + locūtiōn- locution
Related formsel·o·cu·tion·ar·y [el-uh-kyoo-shuh-ner-ee] /ˌɛl əˈkyu ʃəˌnɛr i/, adjectiveel·o·cu·tion·ist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

eloquent, rhetorical, stylistic

Examples from the Web for elocutionary

Historical Examples

  • His sermon was eloquent and literary, and it was delivered with elocutionary power.

    The Christian

    Hall Caine

  • He had elocutionary gifts, had Mr. Allison, and flaunted them.

    The Sunset Trail

    Alfred Henry Lewis

  • Their elocutionary powers are shown on the stage as well as the platform.

  • Do not imagine for a moment that I advocate the neglect of elocutionary graces.

  • This elocutionary power was not gained without much care and diligent labor.

British Dictionary definitions for elocutionary

elocution

noun
  1. the art of public speaking, esp of voice production, delivery, and gesture
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Derived Formselocutionary, adjectiveelocutionist, noun

Word Origin

C15: from Latin ēlocūtiō a speaking out, from ēloquī, from loquī to speak
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for elocutionary

elocution

n.

mid-15c., from Late Latin elocutionem (nominative elocutio) "voice production, manner of expression," in classical Latin, "oratorical expression," noun of action from past participle stem of eloqui "speak out" (see eloquence).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper