diction

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdɪkʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing: Wordsworth campaigned against exaggerated poetic diction
  • 2the style of enunciation in speaking or singing: she began imitating his careful diction

Origin:

mid 16th century (denoting a word or phrase): from Latin dictio(n-), from dicere 'to say'