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Rhetorical

//ɹɪˈtɒɹ.ɪ.kəl// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Part of or similar to rhetoric, the use of language as a means to persuade. not-comparable

    "A rhetorical question is one used merely to make a point, with no response expected."

  2. 2
    Not earnest, or presented only for the purpose of an argument. not-comparable

    "Unfortunately, she has used the attack as a launch pad for a bizarre and undercooked exercise in rhetorical bothsidesism, in which she argues that American Jews should be just as worried about college students who overzealously criticize Israel as they are about the aspiring Einsatzgruppen who shoot up shuls."

Adjective
  1. 1
    given to rhetoric, emphasizing style at the expense of thought wordnet
  2. 2
    of or relating to rhetoric wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A study or exercise in rhetoric. dated

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English rethorycal, rethoricalle, rethorycall, from rethorik, rhetoric (noun) or Latin rēthoricus, rhētoricus, from Ancient Greek ῥητορικός (rhētorikós, “concerning public speaking”). By surface analysis, rhetoric + -al.

Etymology 2

From Middle English rethorycal, rethoricalle, rethorycall, from rethorik, rhetoric (noun) or Latin rēthoricus, rhētoricus, from Ancient Greek ῥητορικός (rhētorikós, “concerning public speaking”). By surface analysis, rhetoric + -al.

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