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rhetorical

Syllabification: (rhe·tor·i·cal)
Pronunciation: /rəˈtôrikəl/

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Definition of rhetorical

adjective

  • of, relating to, or concerned with the art of rhetoric:repetition is a common rhetorical device
  • expressed in terms intended to persuade or impress:the rhetorical commitment of the government to give priority to primary education
  • (of a question) asked in order to produce an effect or to make a statement rather than to elicit information.

Derivatives

rhetorically

Pronunciation: /-ik(ə)lē/

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English (first used in the sense 'eloquently expressed'): via Latin from Greek rhētorikos (from rhētor 'rhetor') + -al

rhetorical in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of rhetorical in the British & World English dictionary

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