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epideictic

adjective
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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

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History and Etymology for epideictic

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

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Cite this Entry

“Epideictic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epideictic. Accessed 12 Jun. 2021.

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