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rhetorice

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word rhetorice

rhetorice1 art of rhetoric

Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
c. 35–95/96 AD, Quintilian
Borrowed from
Ancient Greek ῥητορική
Ultimate origin
Ancient Greek ῥητορική

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [rʰeːˈtɔ.rɪ.keː], [rʰeːˈtɔ.rɪ.kɛ][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [reˈtɔː.ri.t͡ʃe], [reˈtɔː.ri.t͡ʃe][1]

Forms

rhētoricē f sg (genitive rhētoricēs); first declension[1]

Etymology

The noun is borrowed from Ancient Greek ῥητορική (rhētorikḗ, “rhetoric”), short for a phrase with τέχνη (tékhnē, “art”).[2] The Greek word is formed from ῥήτωρ (rhḗtōr, “public speaker”).[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Quintilian uses it for the art of rhetoric.[5][6][3]

Semantic evolution

Latin also has rhetorica in the same sense.[7][5] It names the systematized art of public speaking.[2] English rhetoric, recorded from the early 14th century, comes from Old French and directly from this Latin form.[4]

Timeline

  • c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it for the art of rhetoric.[5][6][3]
  • early 14th century – English rhetoric is recorded, taken partly from Old French and partly from this Latin word.[4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The systematized art of public speaking, rhetoric.[2][6]

rhetorice2 rhetorically

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
81–43 BC, Cicero
Ultimate origin
Latin rhētoricus

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [rʰeːˈtɔ.rɪ.keː], [rʰeːˈtɔ.rɪ.kɛ][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [reˈtɔː.ri.t͡ʃe], [reˈtɔː.ri.t͡ʃe][1]

Forms

rhētoricē (not comparable)[1]

Etymology

The adverb is formed from Latin rhētoricus (“rhetorical”) + -ē.[2][1][8]

Earliest recorded meaning

Cicero uses it in the Brutus, of speaking in the manner of an orator.[7][5][3]

Semantic evolution

It describes speaking in the way of a professional orator or rhetorician,[2] and Georges adds the sense of with rhetorical ornament, wordily.[7] Medieval British writers used it for eloquently.[9]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it in the Brutus.[7][5][3]
  • Middle Ages – British writers use it for eloquently.[9]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. In the manner of an orator or rhetorician, rhetorically.[2][10][6]
  2. With rhetorical ornament, wordily.[7]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Eloquently.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c d e Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ a b c d Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
  7. ^ a b c d e Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  8. ^ Bianchi, Rossella; Lelli, Olga (2014), VOLI: Vocabolario di latino, Florence: Le Monnier
  9. ^ a b c Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  10. ^ Lewis, Charlton T. (1890), An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: American Book Company

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Rhetorice.” Etymologically, 24 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/rhetorice. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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