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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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