Ĕl/o-cū'tion, n.

n. [Lat. elocutio, from eloqui, to speak out, express, declare, from e, out, and loqui, to speak; Fr. élocution, Sp. elocucion, It. elocuzione.] 1. The power of expression by words; expression of thought by speech. [Rare.] Whose taste . . . at first essay, Gave elocution to the mute, and taught The tongue not made for speech to speak thy praise. Milton.

2. The mode of utterance or delivery, accompanied with gesture, of any thing spoken, especially of a public or elaborate discourse or argument; manner of speaking in public; as, good elocution; clear, fluent, or impressive elocution. “Famed for tedious elocution.” Swift.
3. Power of expression, or diction, in written discourse; suitable and impressive writing or style; eloquence. [Obs.] “To express these thoughts with elocution.” Dryden.