elocution
/ɛləˈkjuːʃən/ noun
Forms elocutions
- noun The art of speaking, especially public speaking, with expert control of gesture and voice, diction (articulation and word choice), and usage. “perfect elocution”
Etymology
From Middle English elocucioun, ellocucioun, from Late Latin ēlocutiōnem. Doublet of elocutio.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Utterance by speech. [R.]
- noun Oratorical or expressive delivery, including the graces of intonation, gesture, etc.; style or manner of speaking or reading in public; as, clear, impressive elocution. "The elocution of a reader." Whately
Etymology [L. elocutio, fr. eloqui, elocutus, to speak out: cf. F. élocution. See Eloquent.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “elocution”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details