Elocution (Lat., 'speaking out'), the art of effective speaking, more especially of public speaking. It regards solely the utterance or delivery; while the wider art of oratory, of which elocution is a branch, takes account also of the matter spoken. The art of elocution held a prominent place in ancient education, and in the United States is more carefully cultivated than in Britain.
Éloge. When a member of the French Academy dies, it is customary for his successor to deliver an oration, setting forth his merits and services. This is called an éloge (Lat. elogium, Gr. eulogia, 'praise'), and a considerable branch of French literature goes by the name. Interesting and valuable collections are the éloges of Fontenelle (2 vols. 1731), and of Cuvier (1819).