Main Entry: rhe·tor·i·cal

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈtȯr-i-kəl, -ˈtär-\

Variant(s): also rhe·tor·ic \ri-ˈtȯr-ik, -ˈtär-\

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 a : of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric b : employed for rhetorical effect; especially : asked merely for effect with no answer expected <a rhetorical question>
2 a : given to rhetoric : grandiloquent b : verbal

— rhe·tor·i·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb