Elocution
/ˌɛləˈkjuːʃən/noun
The art or style of speaking clearly and expressively, especially in public.
Did you know?Elocution comes from Latin roots meaning “to speak out,” and for centuries it was treated as a disciplined craft of voice, posture, and persuasion rather than just “good speaking.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leǵ-
“to gather, collect; to speak, say”
Latin
Latin
loquī
“to speak”
Latin
Latin
ēloquī
“to speak out, express fully”
Late Latin
Latin
ēlocūtiō
“a speaking out; style of speaking”
Middle French
Old French
élocution
“style of speaking or utterance”
Modern English
English
elocution
“the art of clear and expressive speech”
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