[rhet.o.ric] n [ME rethorik, fr. MF rethorique, fr. L rhetorica, fr. Gk rhetorike, lit., art of oratory, fr. fem. of rhetorikos of an orator, fr. rhetor orator, rhetorician, fr. eirein to say, speak--more at word] (14c) 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