Definitions for rhetoricalrɪˈtɔr ɪ kəl, -ˈtɒr-
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
rhe•tor•i•calrɪˈtɔr ɪ kəl, -ˈtɒr-(adj.)
used for mere effect.
Category: Rhetoric
marked by or tending to use bombast.
Category: Rhetoric
of, concerned with, or being rhetoric.
Category: Rhetoric
Origin of rhetorical:
1470–80; < L rhētoric(us) (< Gk rhētorikós) + -al1
rhe•tor′i•cal•ly(adv.)
Princeton's WordNet
rhetorical(adj)
of or relating to rhetoric
"accepted two or three verbal and rhetorical changes I suggested"- W.A.White; "the rhetorical sin of the meaningless variation"- Lewis Mumford
rhetorical(adj)
given to rhetoric, emphasizing style at the expense of thought
"mere rhetorical frippery"
Wiktionary
rhetorical(Adjective)
Part of or similar to rhetoric, which is the use of language as a means to persuade.
A rhetorical question, for example, is one used merely to make a point, with no response expected.
rhetorical(Adjective)
Not earnest, or presented only for the purpose of an argument
Origin: From rhetoricus, from ῥητορικός.
Webster Dictionary
Rhetorical(adj)
of or pertaining to rhetoric; according to, or exhibiting, rhetoric; oratorical; as, the rhetorical art; a rhetorical treatise; a rhetorical flourish
Citation
Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:
"rhetorical." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2013. Web. 21 May 2013. <http://www.definitions.net/definition/rhetorical>.