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diction

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diction


  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  diction 
  n  1:  the  articulation  of  speech  regarded  from  the  point  of  view 
  of  its  intelligibility  to  the  audience  [syn:  {enunciation}] 
  2:  the  manner  in  which  something  is  expressed  in  words:  "use 
  concise  military  verbiage"-  G.S.Patton  [syn:  {wording},  {phrasing}, 
  {phraseology},  {choice  of  words},  {verbiage}] 




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