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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
rhet·o·ric    Audio Help   [ret-er-ik] Pronunciation Key
–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.
3.the study of the effective use of language.
4.the ability to use language effectively.
5.the art of prose in general as opposed to verse.
6.the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory.
7.(in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience.
8.(in older use) a work on rhetoric.
[Origin: 1300–50; < L rhétorica < Gk rhétorik (téchné) rhetorical (art); r. ME rethorik < ML réthorica, L rhétorica, as above]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Rhetoric

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
rhet·o·ric    Audio Help   (rět'ər-ĭk)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
    1. The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively.
    2. A treatise or book discussing this art.
    3. A style of speaking or writing, especially the language of a particular subject: fiery political rhetoric.
    4. Language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, or intellectually vacuous: His offers of compromise were mere rhetoric.
  2. Skill in using language effectively and persuasively.
    1. A style of speaking or writing, especially the language of a particular subject: fiery political rhetoric.
    2. Language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, or intellectually vacuous: His offers of compromise were mere rhetoric.
  4. Verbal communication; discourse.


[Middle English rethorik, from Old French rethorique, from Latin rhētoricē, rhētorica, from Greek rhētorikē (tekhnē), rhetorical (art), feminine of rhētorikos, rhetorical, from rhētōr, rhetor; see rhetor.]

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
rhetoric 
c.1300, from O.Fr. rethorique, from L. rhetorice, from Gk. rhetorike techne "art of an orator," from rhetor (gen. rhetoros) "orator," related to rhema "word," lit. "that which is spoken," from PIE *wre-tor-, from base *were- "to speak" (cf. O.E. word, L. verbum, Gk. eirein "to say;" see verb). Rhetorical "eloquent" is from 1476; rhetorical question first attested 1843.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
rhetoric

noun
1. using language effectively to please or persuade 
2. high-flown style; excessive use of verbal ornamentation; "the grandiosity of his prose"; "an excessive ornateness of language" [syn: grandiosity] 
3. loud and confused and empty talk; "mere rhetoric" [syn: palaver] 
4. study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking) 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.

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