rhetoric

[ ret-er-ik ]
/ ˈrɛt ər ɪk /

noun

Origin of rhetoric

1300–50; < Latin rhētorica < Greek rhētorikḕ ( téchnē) rhetorical (art); replacing Middle English rethorik < Medieval Latin rēthorica, Latin rhētorica, as above

Example sentences from the Web for rhetoric

British Dictionary definitions for rhetoric

rhetoric
/ (ˈrɛtərɪk) /

noun

the study of the technique of using language effectively
the art of using speech to persuade, influence, or please; oratory
excessive use of ornamentation and contrivance in spoken or written discourse; bombast
speech or discourse that pretends to significance but lacks true meaning all the politician says is mere rhetoric

Word Origin for rhetoric

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