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illustration Ciceronian

Ciceronian

[sis-ə-ROH-nee-ən]

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, mid-17th century

1.

Characteristic of the work and thought of Cicero.

2.

(Of a piece of speech or writing) In an eloquent and rhythmic style similar to that of Cicero.

Examples of Ciceronian in a sentence

"She delivered a lecture in a Ciceronian manner — clear, logical, and riveting."

"There was a Ciceronian elegance to the letter, which made logical arguments for the board to consider."

About Ciceronian

“Ciceronian” is derived from the name of the great Roman statesman, orator, and writer Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BCE). He had an incredible influence on Latin prose style, which in turn directly influenced much European prose.

Did you Know?

Cicero, after whom the word “Ciceronian” was coined, was known for oratory and prose that relied heavily on rhythm and flow, while also being logically balanced. For example, “a room without books is like a body without a soul” is credited to Cicero.

illustration Ciceronian

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