Main Entry: ven·tril·o·quism

Pronunciation: \ven-ˈtri-lə-ˌkwi-zəm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Late Latin ventriloquus ventriloquist, from Latin ventr-, venter + loqui to speak; from the belief that the voice is produced from the ventriloquist's stomach

Date: circa 1797

1 : the production of the voice in such a way that the sound seems to come from a source other than the vocal organs of the speaker
2 : the expression of one's views and attitudes through another; especially : such expression by a writer through a fictional character or literary persona

— ven·tri·lo·qui·al \ˌven-trə-ˈlō-kwē-əl\ adjective

— ven·tri·lo·qui·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb