n.
Pronunciation: ' re-t ə -rik
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English rethorik, from Anglo-French rethorique, from Latin rhetorica, from Greek rh ē torik ē , literally, art of oratory, from feminine of rh ē torikos of an orator, from rh ē t ō r orator, rhetorician, from eirein to say, speak ― more at WORD
Date: 14th century
1 : the art of speaking or writing effectively: as a : the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times b : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion
2 a : skill in the effective use of speech b : a type or mode of language or speech also : insincere or grandiloquent language
3 : verbal communication : DISCOURSE