ɛpɛrɔˈtiːsɪs

Definitions

1. noun

A rhetorical device in which a speaker addresses an absent person as if they were present.

“In his speech, he used eperotesis to address the former leader, as if he were still in power.”

2. rhetoric

A type of rhetorical device used to address or speak to someone who is absent or not present.

“The politician’s speech was full of eperotesis, making it seem like he was addressing the crowd directly.”