\Dec`la*ma"tion\, n. [L. declamatio, from declamare:
cf. F. d['e]clamation. See {Declaim}.]
1. The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery;
   haranguing; loud speaking in public; especially, the
   public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools
   and colleges; as, the practice declamation by students.
         The public listened with little emotion, but with
         much civility, to five acts of monotonous
         declamation.                          --Macaulay.
2. A set or harangue; declamatory discourse.
3. Pretentious rhetorical display, with more sound than
   sense; as, mere declamation.