Diction

Diction
Diction Dic"tion, n. [L. dicto a saying, a word, fr. dicere, dictum, to say; akin to dicare to proclaim, and to E. teach, token: cf. F. diction. See {Teach}, and cf. {Benison}, {Dedicate}, {Index}, {Judge}, {Preach}, {Vengeance}.] Choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction, disposition, and application of words in discourse, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety, etc.; mode of expression; language; as, the diction of Chaucer's poems. [1913 Webster]

His diction blazes up into a sudden explosion of prophetic grandeur. --De Quincey.

Syn: {Diction}, {Style}, {Phraseology}.

Usage: Style relates both to language and thought; diction, to language only; phraseology, to the mechanical structure of sentences, or the mode in which they are phrased. The style of Burke was enriched with all the higher graces of composition; his diction was varied and copious; his phraseology, at times, was careless and cumbersome. ``Diction is a general term applicable alike to a single sentence or a connected composition. Errors in grammar, false construction, a confused disposition of words, or an improper application of them, constitute bad diction; but the niceties, the elegancies, the peculiarities, and the beauties of composition, which mark the genius and talent of the writer, are what is comprehended under the name of style.'' --Crabb. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • diction — [ diksjɔ̃ ] n. f. • XIIe « expression »; lat. dictio 1 ♦ Vx Manière de dire, quant au choix et à l agencement des mots. ⇒ style. 2 ♦ (1549) Mod. Manière de dire, de débiter un discours, des vers, etc. ⇒ 1. débit, élocution. Professeur de diction …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Diction — (Latin: dictionem (nom. dictio) a saying, expression, word ),[1] in its original, primary meaning, refers to the writer s or the speaker s distinctive vocabulary choices and style of expression in a poem or story.[2] A secondary, common meaning… …   Wikipedia

  • Diction — Diction, Stil, Sprache, Schreibart. Der Ausdruck wird meist von rhythmischen Dichtungen gebraucht und es heißt z. B.: In diesem Trauerspiele ist eine schöne, glänzende, oder eine schwülstige, unbeholfene Diction. – Bei der großen Ausbildung,… …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • diction — Diction. s. f. v. Elocution, choix des mots dont on compose un discours. Diction elegante. diction pure &c. Quelques uns s en servent aussi pour signifier Mot, terme particulier. Mais en ce sens son plus grand usage est dans le dogmatique. Cette… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • diction — DICTION. s. f. Élocution. La partie du style qui regarde le choix des paroles. Diction élégante. Diction pure. Diction vicieuse …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • Dictĭon — (v. lat.), Sprach , Schreibart …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Diction — Diction, lat., Ausdrucksweise, Schreibart …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • diction — index parlance, phraseology, rhetoric (skilled speech), speech Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • diction — 1540s, a word; 1580s, expression of ideas in words, from L.L. dictionem (nom. dictio) a saying, expression, word, from dic , pp. stem of L. dicere speak, tell, say, related to dicare proclaim, dedicate, from PIE root *deik to point out (Cf. Skt.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • diction — *language, vocabulary, phraseology, phrasing, style Analogous words: speech, tongue, idiom, *language: enunciation, pronunciation, articulation (see corresponding verbs at ARTICULATE) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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