Rhetoric

ret′or-ik, n. the theory and practice of eloquence, whether spoken or written, the whole art of using language so as to persuade others: the art of speaking with propriety, elegance, and force: artificial oratory: declamation.— adj. Rhetor′ical , pertaining to rhetoric: oratorical.— adv. Rhetor′ically .— v.i. Rhetor′icāte ( obs. ), to act the orator.— ns. Rhetoricā′tion ( obs. ); Rhetori′cian , one who teaches the art of rhetoric: an orator.— v.i. Rhet′orise , to play the orator. [Fr.,—L. rhetoric a ( ars )—Gr. rhētorikē ( technē ), the rhetorical (art)— rhētōr , a public speaker— ere in , to speak.]