peroration

/pɛɹəˈɹeɪʃən/

Etymology

From Latin perōrō (“to speak at length, to conclude a speech”) (from per- (“very”) + ōrō (“to speak, to orate”) (English orate)) + -ation (“action (nominalizer)”) (from Latin -ātiō).

Why this word is great

PERORATION — [Noun] The concluding section of a discourse, particularly in oratory, where the speaker summarizes and emphasizes the main points. From Latin perōrātiō ("conclusion of a speech"), from perōrāre ("to speak at length, conclude"), combining per- ("thoroughly") and ōrāre ("to speak, orate"). Unlike "epilogue" (a reflective coda in literature) or "summary" (a dry recitation of facts), a peroration is the orator’s final, calculated strike—part crescendo, part sleight of hand. It is the thunderous closing of a courtroom appeal, the preacher’s climactic call to repentance, the politician’s rallying cry that leaves the crowd breathless and burning. A peroration does not merely end a speech; it makes the audience feel the speech has ended them.

noun

  1. The concluding section of a discourse, either written or oral, in which the orator or writer sums up and commends his topic to his audience, particularly as used in the technical sense of a component of ancient Roman oratorical delivery.“This passage is virtually the peroration of the Ethics; the few paragraphs that follow are concerned with the transition to politics.”
  2. A discourse or rhetorical argument in general.“Nephew, what means this passionate discourse, This peroration with such circumstance?”