soliloquy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a usually long dramatic speech intended to give the illusion of unspoken reflections

   Our class was required to write a soliloquy for homework.

2. 2
   noun

   The act of a character speaking to themselves so as to reveal their thoughts to the audience.

   At the end of the second act the main villain gave a soliloquy detailing his plans to attack the protagonist.

3. 3
   noun

   A speech or written discourse in this form.

   The feeling of Singleton's bosom grew heightened in its tone of melancholy, and a more passionate emphasis of thought broke forth in his half-muttered soliloquy:— ¶"How I remember as I look […]

4. 4
   noun

   speech you make to yourself

5. 5
   verb

   To issue a soliloquy.

Etymology

1595–1605; From Late Latin sōliloquium in the title of St. Augustine's Soliloquiorum libri duo ("Two Books of Soliloquies"), from sōlus (“only, sole”) + loquor (“to speak”).