| rhetoric |
| Definition: The art and study of the use of persuasive and effective language. |
| Etymology: The word derives from the Greek rhetorike techne, art of an orator (from rhetor, orator). |
| Oxford English Dictionary: The first OED citation for the word is from the 14th century: "Geometrie, and arsmetrike, Rettorike, and ek fisike." (13+ Seuyn Sag. 186 (W.)) |