elocution

[el-uh-kyoo-shuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR elocution ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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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. 2019

Examples from the Web for elocutionist

He must get an elocutionist to give him lessons upon two or three points.
Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie|Andrew Carnegie
Hostess (to elocutionist)—Why, I thought you were never coming!
The Wit and Humor of America, Volume II. (of X.)|Various
Imagine me teaching Greek or preaching in the ParkPhil is a preacher, of course, and an elocutionist.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline|Jennie M. Drinkwater
Here he became pitiful in his ineffectiveness, and Clytie had at last to admit that he would never be the elocutionist Allan was.
The Seeker|Harry Leon Wilson

Her reputation is world-wide, and she stands to-day without a peer among her people as an elocutionist.
Sparkling Gems of Race Knowledge Worth Reading|Various

British Dictionary definitions for elocutionist

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 elocutionist

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).