elocution
3
8.5
- noun
- /ˌɛləˈkjuːʃən/
:
elocución
- The professor praised his student's elocution, noting how clearly he articulated each word.
Examples
-
"I noted Alexander's elocution was impeccable, which seemed a particularly fine asset for someone in sales."
Fiction book (2000) -
I'm signing you up for elocution lessons with Dr. Poole.
-
I taught elocution in schools.
-
Oh, time for my elocution exercises.
-
Why, Mary, are you just arriving for your elocution class?
-
Perhaps she can now afford some elocution lessons?
Blog text (23) -
Her voice was an ongoing experiment in elocution.
Fiction book (2001) -
Why didn't you take elocution lessons?
-
Eleven women pointed to their talents, describing an outstanding ability in music, art, sports, or elocution.
Academic text (1998) -
As for your fortunate daughter, for it must, of course, be a girl and not one of those other things, she will receive private tuition in literature, history, deportment, and, above all, elocution.
Synonyms
20
6.1
The skill of speaking clearly and strongly to persuade people
9
4.6
To express thoughts or feelings clearly in words
3
5.5
Clear speech that is easy for people to understand
1
6.7
The ability to speak or write clearly and well
The ability to speak ideas clearly when talking to others
Antonyms
How Expressive
Surface Forms
Morphology
elocution = eloquent (semi-transparent) = elocut + ion
The noun is related in meaning to 'eloquent' (speaking clearly), but the lexical stem and formation are borrowed/irregular, so learners may not reliably derive the noun from the adjective.
Etymology
Elocution comes from the Latin parts e- meaning 'out' and loqui meaning 'to speak', so it originally meant 'speaking out'. That's why elocution today refers to the skill of clear, expressive speech, like being eloquent when you speak.