rhetoric

[ ret-er-ik ]
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noun
  1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.

  2. the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.

  1. the study of the effective use of language.

  2. the ability to use language effectively.

  3. the art of prose in general as opposed to verse.

  4. the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory.

  5. (in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience.

  6. (in older use) a work on rhetoric.

Origin of rhetoric

1
First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin rhētorica, from Greek rhētorikḕ (téchnē) “rhetorical (art)”; replacing Middle English rethorik, from Medieval Latin rēthorica, Latin rhētorica, as above

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British Dictionary definitions for rhetoric

rhetoric

/ (ˈrɛtərɪk) /


noun
  1. the study of the technique of using language effectively

  2. the art of using speech to persuade, influence, or please; oratory

  1. excessive use of ornamentation and contrivance in spoken or written discourse; bombast

  2. speech or discourse that pretends to significance but lacks true meaning: all the politician says is mere rhetoric

Origin of rhetoric

1
C14: via Latin from Greek rhētorikē (tekhnē) (the art of) rhetoric, from rhētōr rhetor

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