n. [ F. éloquence, L. eloquentia, fr. eloquens. See Eloquent. ] 1. Fluent, forcible, elegant, and persuasive speech in public; the power of expressing strong emotions in striking and appropriate language either spoken or written, thereby producing conviction or persuasion. [ 1913 Webster ] Eloquence is speaking out . . . out of the abundance of the heart. Hare. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Fig.: Whatever produces the effect of moving and persuasive speech. [ 1913 Webster ] Silence that spoke and eloquence of eyes. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] The hearts of men are their books; events are their tutors; great actions are their eloquence. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. That which is eloquently uttered or written. [ 1913 Webster ] O, let my books be then the eloquence
And dumb presagers of my speaking breast. Shak. Syn. -- Oratory; rhetoric. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
