1 expressed with a view to persuasive or impressive effect; artificial or extravagant in language.
2 of the nature of rhetoric.
3 a of or relating to the art of rhetoric. b given to rhetoric; oratorical.
Phrases and idioms:
rhetorical question a question asked not for information but to produce an effect, e.g. who cares? for nobody cares.
Derivatives:
rhetorically adv.
Etymology: ME f. L rhetoricus f. Gk rhetorikos (as RHETOR)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.