elocution
UK[ˌeləˈkjuːʃn]US[ˌeləˈkjuːʃn]
n
The skill of clear and expressive speech, especially of distinct pronunciation and articulation.
n
A style or manner of speaking, especially in public.
Morpheme Breakdown
e
locut
ion
e
out
locut
speak
ion
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'elocution' has a direct lineage to the art of oratory in ancient Rome. It originates from the Latin elocutio, a noun of action from eloqui, meaning "to speak out." This verb itself is a compound of e- ("out") and loqui ("to speak"). In classical rhetoric, elocutio specifically referred to the third of five canons: the stylistic deployment of language, or "elocution." The term entered English in the late Middle Ages, retaining its core association with the manner and skill of verbal delivery, but its focus narrowed over centuries. It evolved from encompassing all elements of rhetorical style to its modern, more specialized meaning emphasizing the clarity, distinctness, and effectiveness of spoken pronunciation in public address.
Analysis
Structure: e (out) + locut (speak) + ion (noun suffix)
e: A Latin prefix meaning "out" or "forth."
locut: From the Latin root locut-, meaning "to speak," the past participial stem of loqui.
ion: A Latin-derived suffix forming nouns of action or state.
Examples
The actor's excellent elocution made every word audible in the back row of the theater.
She took lessons in elocution to reduce her regional accent for broadcasting.
His formal elocution, while precise, sometimes made him sound rather stiff and unnatural.