/ ˌdekləˈmeɪʃn; NAmE / noun ( formal )
1.
[ U ] the act of speaking or of expressing sth to an audience in a formal way
2.
[ C ] a speech or piece of writing that strongly expresses feelings and opinions
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense a set speech ): from Latin declamatio(n-) , from the verb declamare , from de- (expressing thoroughness) + clamare to shout.