adj.
Pronunciation: ri- ' to ̇ r-i-k ə l, - ' tär-
Variant: also rhe · tor · ic \ ri- ' to ̇ r-ik, - ' tär- \
Function: adjective
Date: 15th century
1 a : of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric b : employed for rhetorical effect especially : asked merely for effect with no answer expected <a rhetorical question>
2 a : given to rhetoric : GRANDILOQUENT b : VERBAL
– rhe · tor · i · cal · ly \ -i-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb