a speech made in the tone and manner of an oration, uniting the expression of action to propriety of pronunciation, in order to give the sentiment its full impression on the mind. The word is used also in a disparaging sense, as when it is said such a speech was mere declamation, it implies that it was deficient in point of reasoning, or had more sound than sense. — Buck, Theol. Dictionary, s.v. (See HOMILETICS).