Rhetoric Definition

rĕtər-ĭk
noun
The art of using words effectively or persuasively in speaking or writing; esp., now, the art of prose composition.
Webster's New World
A treatise or book on this.
Webster's New World
Skill in this.
Webster's New World
A style of speaking or writing, especially the language of a particular subject.
Fiery political rhetoric.
American Heritage
Artificial eloquence; language that is showy and elaborate but largely empty of clear ideas or sincere emotion.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
adjective

Synonym of rhetorical.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Rhetoric

Noun

Singular:
rhetoric
Plural:
rhetorics

Origin of Rhetoric

  • Middle English rethorik from Old French rethorique from Latin rhētoricē, rhētorica from Greek rhētorikē (tekhnē) rhetorical (art) feminine of rhētorikos rhetorical from rhētōr rhetor rhetor

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin rhÄ“torica, from Ancient Greek ῥητορική (rhÄ“torikÄ“), feminine form of ῥητορικός (rhÄ“torikos, “concerning public speech"), from ῥήτωρ (rhÄ“tōr, “public speaker").

    From Wiktionary

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