verb
declaim
dih-KLAYM/dɪˈkleɪm/
To speak or recite aloud in a formal or dramatic manner.
The actor declaims the final speech with sweeping gestures.
Etymology
The root means “shout,” with de- perhaps intensifying it. The combined verb meant practicing public speaking or blustering; formal oratorical delivery then developed into the sense of speaking aloud passionately for emotional effect.
More examples
- She stood on a chair and declaimed a poem.
- He tends to declaim rather than speak conversationally.
- Students practice declaiming famous speeches in their drama class.
Forms
declaim · declaims · declaimed · declaiming
declamation noun — Formal or dramatic delivery of spoken words.
declamatory adjective — Marked by formal or dramatic spoken delivery.