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Webster 1913 Edition

Rhetoric

Rhet′o-ric

,
Noun.
[F.
rhétorique
, L.
rhetorica
, Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] (sc. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK]), fr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] rhetorical, oratorical, fr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] orator, rhetorician; perhaps akin to E.
word
; cf. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] to say.]
1.
The art of composition; especially, elegant composition in prose.
2.
Oratory; the art of speaking with propriety, elegance, and force.
Locke.
3.
Hence, artificial eloquence; fine language or declamation without conviction or earnest feeling.
4.
Fig. : The power of persuasion or attraction; that which allures or charms.
Sweet, silent
rhetoric
of persuading eyes.
Daniel.

Webster 1828 Edition

Rhetoric

RHET'ORIC

,
Noun.
[Gr. from to speak, to flow. Eng. to read. The primary sense is to drive or send. See Read.]
1.
The art of speaking with propriety, elegance and force.
2.
The power of persuasion or attraction; that which allures or charms. We speak of the rhetoric of the tongue, and the rhetoric of the heart or eyes.
Sweet silent rhetoric of persuading eyes.

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