rhetor-

A teacher of eloquence or a professional public speaker of Greco-Roman times: One of the many inventions provided by rhetors was the "rhetorical question".

1. The art of speaking or writing; using language; especially, public speaking, as a means of persuading or explaining something: Winston Churchill's speech of "Blood, sweat, and tears" is considered to be a masterpiece of rhetoric.
2. Sometimes, a meaningless language that is used with an exaggerated style that is intended to impress others: As a typical politician, Quincy used a lot of rhetoric but said nothing of importance; in fact, some people considered his rhetoric as nothing more than hot air, hokum, or bunk.

Mr. Jackson, the candidate, spoke with a fiery political rhetoric that was full of artificial eloquence and verbosity.

There are those who use rhetoric as a verbose, long-winded speech that is meant to impress, but usually falls flat for lack of substance or a deceitful and dishonest use of language in order to manipulate people.

3. Language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, or intellectually lacking serious thoughts: Ted's company made offers of compromise to the workers which were mere rhetoric because nothing was ever accomplished.

Too often, politicians talk about solutions to the national debt problems, but they usually just offer rhetoric and no significant results.

4. The speech or writing calculated to arouse passion: Imogene asked the group: "Are we ever going to move from empty rhetoric to a sound plan of action on this issue?"
5. Etymology: from Old French rethorique, from Latin rhetorice, from Greek rhetorike techne, "art of an orator", from rhetor, rhetoros, "orator"; related to rhema, "word"; literally, "that which is spoken". © ALL rights are reserved.

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Referring to a style of oral or written communication that is effective or intended to influence people: Some rhetorical speeches can be flamboyant, oratorical, eloquent, or grandiose and may not be reasonable or honest.

Jerome made a speech that was punctuated by rhetorical pauses.

People should be persuaded by truth, not merely by rhetorical speeches.

© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

A question that is asked for effect rather than for an answer: Thomas asked, "Do you people want to lose the shirt off your backs and end up in the poorhouse?"

Such a rhetorical question suggests that the speaker is about to offer his listeners a plan that will enable them to avoid this disastrous condition.

Language that refers to making a statement rather than to getting an answer: "Why does it have to rain just when we want to go out?", Gabriela asked rhetorically.

Someone who expresses language poorly in an attempt to persuade or to influence others: Madeline was diagnosed by her doctor as a rhetoricaster because she had so much difficulty in communicating with people.

A skilled practitioner or teacher of the classical art of speaking and/or writing: Maynard was regarded as one of the best rhetoricians in his university because he was not only a well-known author of historical languages but he was also fluent in several languages.