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Definition

The trait of being articulate and clever at speaking, often in a deceitful way.

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Origins

From silver (adjective, noun) + tongue (noun). Sense 1 (“trait of being articulate and clever at speaking”) is probably from silver-tongued, which is attested earlier than the noun.

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In Context

  • "[H]e passed into the saloon, where Nina presided; and here his fair person and silver tongue […"
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See Also

  • silver-tongued