illocution

/ ˌɪləˈkjuːʃən /

noun

1. philosophy an act performed by a speaker by virtue of uttering certain words, as for example the acts of promising or of threatening Also calledillocutionary act See also performative Compare perlocution

Derived Forms

• ˌilloˈcutionary, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illocution¹

C20: from il- + locution

Example Sentences

Austin distinguished “locution”, the act of speaking itself, from “illocution”: the thing done in the world by that act.

From Economist