epideictic

adjective ep·i·deic·tic \ ¦epə¦dīktik \

Definition of epideictic

: designed primarily for rhetorical effect : demonstrative

epideictic style of writing

the Indian speeches are … more of the nature of the forensic and, occasionally, epideictic or panegyric, than of deliberative oratory
—H. J. C. Grierson

—used especially of ceremonial orations of praise or blame

There's more!

Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
Advanced search features
Ad free!

Origin and Etymology of epideictic

Greek epideiktikos, from (assumed) Greek epideiktos (verbal of Greek epideiknynai to exhibit, show off, display, from epi- + deiknynai to show) + Greek -ikos -ic