Library / English Dictionary

RHETORIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("rhetoric" is a kind of...):

literary study (the humanistic study of literature)

Domain member category:

anacoluthic (of or related to syntactic inconsistencies of the sort known as anacoluthons)

tropical (characterized by or of the nature of a trope or tropes; changed from its literal sense)

allocution ((rhetoric) a formal or authoritative address that advises or exhorts)

ploce ((rhetoric) repetition to gain special emphasis or extend meaning)

epanodos (recapitulation of the main ideas of a speech (especially in reverse order))

epanodos (repetition of a group of words in reverse order)

rhetorical device (a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance))

peroration ((rhetoric) the concluding section of an oration)

narration ((rhetoric) the second section of an oration in which the facts are set forth)

exordium ((rhetoric) the introductory section of an oration or discourse)

Derivation:

rhetorical (given to rhetoric, emphasizing style at the expense of thought)

rhetorical (of or relating to rhetoric)

rhetorician (a person who delivers a speech or oration)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Loud and confused and empty talk

Example:

mere rhetoric

Synonyms:

empty talk; empty words; hot air; palaver; rhetoric

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("rhetoric" is a kind of...):

bunk; hokum; meaninglessness; nonsense; nonsensicality (a message that seems to convey no meaning)

Sense 3

Meaning:

High-flown style; excessive use of verbal ornamentation

Example:

an excessive ornateness of language

Synonyms:

grandiloquence; grandiosity; magniloquence; ornateness; rhetoric

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("rhetoric" is a kind of...):

expressive style; style (a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rhetoric"):

flourish (a display of ornamental speech or language)

blah; bombast; claptrap; fustian; rant (pompous or pretentious talk or writing)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Using language effectively to please or persuade

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("rhetoric" is a kind of...):

expressive style; style (a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period)

Meronyms (parts of "rhetoric"):

rhetorical device (a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance))

Derivation:

rhetorician (a person who delivers a speech or oration)

Credits