elocution (EL i KYOO shin) n.1. vocalizing words distinctly when speaking in
public; 2. the art of public speaking or declaiming (now usually associated with a
studied or artificial style)
- Cicero was well known for his elocutionin the Senate of ancient Rome.
- Proper elocutionrequires one to project from the diaphragm rather than
just speaking with one’s voice. - Opera singers are often taught elocution.
[-ary adj.,-ist n.]
eloquent*(EL uh kwint) adj.1. having a vivid, forceful, fluent, graceful, and
persuasive quality of writing or speech; 2. vividly expressive - Mark Twain was an eloquentspeaker as well as a humorous one.
- Rachel shrugged and sighed an eloquentsigh.
[-ly adv.]
elude (il OOD) vt. 1. to use quickness, cunning, etc. to avoid being captured;
evade; 2. to escape detection, notice, or understanding - The fox does not often eludedetection by the hounds.
- The prisoner eludedthe guards by hiding in the laundry bin.
- I recognize her face, but her name eludesme.
[-d, eluding] [Syn. escape]
embellishment*(em BEL ish mint) n.1. fancying up; 2. something that
adorns, as an ornament, or a bit of fancifulness added to a factual account; a fancy
musical phrase - Tree lights and icicles are often added as embellishments.
- A good storyteller often adds a few embellishments,just to make his (or
someone else’s) role appear more important. - William F. Cody’s (Buffalo Bill’s) autobiography has often been called one
big embellishmentfrom start to finish. - A rimshot on a snare drum accompanying a TV talk-show host’s punch
line is an embellishment.
embitter(em BIT ir) vt.1. to anger; make resentful or morose; 2. to make more
bitter; exascerbate; aggravate - Ignore his cynicism; he’s just an embitteredold grouch.
- Pulling her hair is bound to embitterher even further.
[-ed, -ing, -ment n.]
embrace (em BRAYS) vt.1. to enfold in the arms, usually as an expression of
affection or desire; to hug; 2. to accept readily; to avail oneself of; 3. to take up or
adopt (especially eagerly or seriously); 4. to include; contain - The homecoming sailor happily embracedhis wife and child.
- Phyllis embracedCathy’s offer to help her with math.
- Mr. Jones eagerly embracedhis new profession.
- The science of biology embraceszoology and botany.
[-d, embracing] [Syn. include]
94 Essential Vocabulary