rhetorical

views updated May 18 2018

rhe·tor·i·cal / rəˈtôrikəl/ • adj. of, relating to, or concerned with the art of rhetoric: repetition is a common rhetorical device. ∎  expressed in terms intended to persuade or impress: the rhetorical commitment of the government to give priority to primary education. ∎  (of a question) asked in order to produce an effect or to make a statement rather than to elicit information.DERIVATIVES: rhe·tor·i·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.

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