I. fəˈren(t)s]ik, (ˈ)fōr|e-, (ˈ)fȯ|re-, -nz], ]ēk adjective
Etymology: Latin forens is of a market or forum, public, forensic (from forum market, forum) + English -ic — more at forum
1. : belonging to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate
2. : used in legal proceedings or in public discussions ; broadly : argumentative , rhetorical
forensic eloquence
3. : of or relating to forensics
an excellent forensic program
• fo·ren·si·cal·ly ]ə̇k(ə)lē, ]ēk-, -li adverb
II. fəˈre-, fōrˈe-, fȯˈre-\ noun
( -s )
1. : an argumentative exercise in the form of a speech or thesis formerly much used as an exercise in American schools and colleges
2. forensics plural but singular or plural in construction : the art or study of argumentative discourse ; sometimes : debate 2