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rhetoric

Syllabification: (rhet·o·ric)
Pronunciation: /ˈretərik/
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Definition of rhetoric

noun

  • the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
  • language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience, but often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content:all we have from the opposition is empty rhetoric

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French rethorique, via Latin from Greek rhētorikē (tekhnē) '(art) of rhetoric', from rhētōr 'rhetor'

rhetoric in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of rhetoric in the British & World English dictionary
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