Obs. [ad. L. expolītiōn-em, n. of action f. expolīre: see prec.] a. The action of polishing. b. Rhet. (see quots.)
[1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xx. (Arb.), 254. [Expolitio] doth … polish our speech and as it were attire it with copious and pleasant amplifications and much varietie of sentences, all running vpon one point and one intent.]
1656–81. Blount, Glossogr., Expolition a trimming, polishing or burnishing.
1730–6. Bailey (folio), Expolition (in Rhetorick), a figure whereby the same thing is explained in different phrases, in order to shew it more fully.
1751. in Chambers, Cycl.
