locution

views updated May 29 2018

lo·cu·tion / lōˈkyoōshən/ • n. 1. a word or phrase, esp. with regard to style or idiom. ∎  a person's style of speech: his impeccable locution.2. an utterance regarded in terms of its intrinsic meaning or reference, as distinct from its function or purpose in context. Compare with illocution, perlocution. ∎  language regarded in terms of locutionary rather than illocutionary or perlocutionary acts.DERIVATIVES: lo·cu·tion·ar·y / -ˌnerē/ adj.

locution

views updated Jun 11 2018

locution †utterance; form of expression XV. — (O)F. locution or L. locūtiō, -ōn-, f. locūt-, pp. stem of loquī talk, speak; see -TION.

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