See Also: rhetorical(dictionary)
rhetorical(dictionary)

rhetorical (iou)



rhetorical adjective. LME.
[Latin rhetoricus, formed as RHETOR: see -ICAL.]
Orig., eloquent, eloquently expressed. Later, expressed in terms to persuade or impress; (freq. derog.) expressed in artificial, insincere, or extravagant language. LME.
rhetorical question a question, often implicitly assuming a preferred (usu. negative) answer, asked so as to produce an effect rather than to gain information.
Rolling Stone The article lacked description, interpretation and evaluation; in short, rhetorical criticism.
b. Designating a rhythm of prose less regular than metrical. rare. E18.
Of, pertaining to, or concerned with the art of rhetoric. LME.
G. Phelps The author's command of the rhetorical devices.
Of a person: apt to use rhetoric. M17.
J. Dennis The rhetorical author..makes use of his tropes and figures..to cheat us.
rhetoricalness noun (rare) E18.