orotund
[awr-uh-tuhnd, ohr-]
- (of the voice or speech) characterized by strength, fullness, richness, and clearness.
- (of a style of speaking) pompous or bombastic.
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Origin of orotund
1785–95; contraction of Latin phrase ōre rotundō, with round mouth
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for orotund
bombastic, clear, loud, pompous, resonant, rich, showy, sonorous, stentorian, resoundingExamples from the Web for orotund
Historical Examples of orotund
Hamlet saw that pithy old Polonius was a preposterous and orotund ass.
PipefulsChristopher Morley
Obediently, the fanatic began to mouth Holy Writ in orotund.
When Egypt Went BrokeHolman Day
At once Serrano's orotund Italian voice shot out into the crowd.
MountainClement Wood
Mrs. Hallam was sitting in orotund silence, but seemed in good humour.
VisionariesJames Huneker
Pure voice is usually spoken of as being manifested in two qualities, the natural and the orotund.
The Ontario Readers: The High School Reader, 1886Ministry of Education
orotund
- (of the voice) resonant; booming
- (of speech or writing) bombastic; pompous
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Word Origin for orotund
C18: from Latin phrase ore rotundo with rounded mouth
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for orotund
1792, from Latin ore rotundo "in well-rounded phrases," literally "with round mouth" (see ore rotundo).
The odd thing about the word is that its only currency, at least in its non-technical sense, is among those who should most abhor it, the people of sufficient education to realize its bad formation; it is at once a monstrosity in its form & a pedantry in its use. [Fowler]
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper