eloquence
UK[ˈel.ə.kwəns]US[ˈel.ə.kwəns]
n
fluent or persuasive speaking or writing.
n
the quality of being fluent or persuasive in expression.
Morpheme Breakdown
e
loqu
ence
e
out
loqu
speak
ence
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'eloquence' originates from the latin 'eloquentia', which itself is derived from the verb 'eloqui', meaning 'to speak out'. the latin 'eloqui' is a compound of the prefix 'e-' (a variant of 'ex-', meaning 'out') and the root 'loqui' (meaning 'to speak'). this literal sense of 'speaking out' evolved through french influence into middle english, where it came to denote not just the act of speaking, but specifically the art of doing so with fluency, force, and persuasive skill. thus, the modern abstract meaning captures the quality of effective and powerful verbal expression.
Analysis
Structure: e (out) + loqu (speak) + ence (noun suffix)
e- (prefix, latin origin, meaning 'out'); loqu (root, latin origin, from 'loqui', meaning 'to speak'); -ence (suffix, latin origin, forming nouns of state or quality).
Examples
her eloquence captivated the audience and won her the debate.
the lawyer was known for his sharp wit and compelling eloquence in the courtroom.
the poem is admired more for its emotional depth than for its eloquence.