perlocutionary

[ pur-luh-kyoo-shuh-ner-ee ]

adjective

, Philosophy, Linguistics.

1. (of a speech act) producing an effect upon the listener, as in persuading, frightening, amusing, or causing the listener to act.

Other Words From

• perlo·cution noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perlocutionary¹

First recorded in 1950–55; per- + locution + -ary