Ciceronian

American  

[sis-uh-roh-nee-uhn] / ˌsɪs əˈroʊ ni ən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Cicero or his writings.

   the Ciceronian orations.

2. in the style of Cicero: characterized by melodious language, clarity, and forcefulness of presentation.

   Ciceronian invective.

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noun

1. a person who is an expert on or specializes in the study of the works of Cicero.

2. a person who admires or imitates the style of Cicero.

Ciceronian British  

/ ˌsɪsəˈrəʊnɪən /

adjective

1. of or resembling Cicero or his rhetorical style; eloquent

2. (of literary style) characterized by the use of antithesis and long periods

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Other Word Forms

• pseudo-Ciceronian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Ciceronian

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin Cicerōniānus, equivalent to Cicerōn- (stem of Cicerō ) Cicero + -iānus -ian

Example Sentences

Ogilvie would take to the stage in a toga, orating for three hours in a formal Ciceronian style later adopted by senators and heads of state.

From New York Times • Feb. 10, 2021

That quote encapsulates Musk’s boundless ambition, as well as the Ciceronian structure of his sentences, which tend to chase so many ideas at once that they lose sight of their own predicates.

From Slate • May 21, 2015

“It’s different from the kind of Ciceronian sentences that are my default mode,” said Dr. Cahn, who was a speechwriter for Robert F. Kennedy and later pioneered a form of volunteerism called timebanking.

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2015

Like a suntanned Roman, he struck his Midwest Ciceronian pose and held it, occasionally delivering himself of the sort of speech that instantly self-destructs upon reaching the brain.

From Time Magazine Archive

Invective—as he demonstrated by dissing the dictator in his first big case—was a Ciceronian specialty.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith