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retorico

rhetorical

adjective reh-TOH-ree-koh Rare
Communication Speech

Origin: From Greek rhētorikos, via Latin rhetoricus.

Usage Note

Retorico most commonly appears in the phrase domanda retorica ('rhetorical question') — a question that expects no answer. In broader use it can mean 'overly elaborate in speech', with a slightly negative connotation of empty flourish. The related noun is retorica ('rhetoric'), and the adverb is retoricamente.

Examples

"Era chiaramente una domanda retorica."

Natural Translation

It was clearly a rhetorical question.

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