Rhe-tŏr'ic-al, a.

a. [Gr. ῥητορικός, Lat. rhetoricus, It. & Sp. retorico. See RHETOR.] Of, pertaining to, or involving, rhetoric; oratorical; as, the rhetorical art; a rhetorical treatise; a rhetorical flourish.

They permit him to leave their poetical taste ungratified, provided that he gratifies their rhetorical sense and their curiosity. M. Arnold.