də̇ˈklām, dēˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by claim ) of earlier declame, from Middle English declamen, from Latin declamare, from de down, away + clamare to cry out; akin to Latin calare to call — more at de- , low (to moo)
intransitive verb
1. : to speak or make a speech in a rhetorical manner : deliver an oration
some of the province's most illustrious men visited the courthouse and declaimed within its four walls — Hazel Y. Grinnell
specifically : to recite a speech or poem as an exercise in elocution
he took to writing verse and was chosen to declaim on occasions both public and private — Raymond Weaver
2. : to speak for rhetorical effect or display : speak pompously, noisily, or theatrically : harangue
in presence of this historical fact it is foolish to declaim about natural rights — V.L.Parrington
: inveigh
declaiming against the horrors of the place — C.D.Lewis
transitive verb
: to deliver (as an oration) in a rhetorical manner : utter rhetorically
have forgotten the exact moment when he declaimed his quotation — Thomas Wood †1950
specifically : to recite as an exercise in elocution
all these people declaiming selections from Shakespeare — Ellen Glasgow
• de·claim·er -mə(r) noun -s