/ ˈretərɪk; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
( formal , often disapproving ) speech or writing that is intended to influence people, but that is not completely honest or sincere :
the rhetoric of political slogans
empty rhetoric
2.
( formal ) the skill of using language in speech or writing in a special way that influences or entertains people
SYN eloquence , oratory
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French rethorique , via Latin from Greek rhētorikē (tekhnē) (art) of rhetoric, from rhētōr rhetor.