Webster's English Dictionary

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rhetoric

rhet.o.ric \'ret-*-rik\ n [ME rethorik, fr. MF rethorique, fr. L rhetorica, 
   fr. Gk r]he-torike-, lit., art of oratory, fr. fem. of rhe-torikos of an 
   orator, fr. rhe-to-r orator, rhetorician, fr. eirein to say, speak - more 
   at WORD 1: the art of speaking or writing effectively; specif : the study o 
   f principles and rules of composition formulated by ancient critics 2a: 
   skill in the effective use of speech  2b: insincere or grandiloquent 
   language  3: verbal communication : DISCOURSE