English Explanatory Dictionary

rhetorical

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Part of or similar to rhetoric, the use of language as a means to persuade.
  2. Not earnest, or presented only for the purpose of an argument.
noun
  1. A study or exercise in rhetoric.

Pronunciation

/ɹɪˈtɒɹ.ɪ.kəl/ /ɹəˈtɒɹ.ɪ.kəl/ /ɹɪˈtɔɹɪkəl/ /ɹəˈtɔɹɪkəl/ en-us-rhetorical.ogg en-au-rhetorical.ogg

Word forms

rhetorical rhetoricals

Etymology

From Middle English rethorycal, rethoricalle, rethorycall, from rethorik, rhetoric (noun) or Latin rēthoricus, rhētoricus, from Ancient Greek ῥητορικός (rhētorikós, “concerning public speaking”). By surface analysis, rhetoric + -al.

Related words

rhetoric

Derived words

antirhetorical musicorhetorical nonrhetorical retardical rhetorical device rhetorical induction rhetoricality rhetorically rhetorical mode rhetoricalness rhetorical question unrhetorical
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