elocution

[el-uh-kyoo-shuh n]

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noun

a person's manner of speaking or reading aloud in public: The actor's elocution is faultless.

the study and practice of oral delivery, including the control of both voice and gesture.

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. 2019

Related Words for elocutionary

eloquent, rhetorical, stylistic

Examples from the Web for elocutionary

Historical Examples of elocutionary

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.
Liberty In The Nineteenth Century
Frederic May Holland
Do not imagine for a moment that I advocate the neglect of elocutionary graces.
The Young Priest's Keepsake
Michael Phelan
This elocutionary power was not gained without much care and diligent labor.
Lives of Illustrious Shoemakers
William Edward Winks

British Dictionary definitions for elocutionary

elocution

noun

the art of public speaking, esp of voice production, delivery, and gesture

Derived Formselocutionary, adjectiveelocutionist, noun

Word Origin for elocution

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

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).