> as lemmas

a1686 Earl of Anglesey Privileges of House of Lords & Commons (1702) 47 To this Rhetorical Question the Commons pray they may Answer by another Question.

1721 R. Manning Case stated Church of Rome I. xxviii. 161 But, to turn your fine Rhetorical Question upon yourself, cannot you enjoy the Advantages you have over impenitent Sinners, and the Devils without Damning them all to the Pit of Hell for ever?

1779 J. Fell Dæmoniacs 71 The very great number of his rhetorical questions so often asked on this part of our subject, rendered entirely useless.

1843 T. K. Arnold Lat. Prose Composit. §442 Non is often used without ne in vehement questions, especially, of course, questions of appeal, or, as Reisig calls them, rhetorical questions.

1884 Bradley's Aids to Lat. Prose §150 Questions that do not require an answer, but are only put in the form of a question in order to produce a greater effect,..are called rhetorical questions.

1904 W. R. Harper Crit. & Exegetical Comm. Amos & Hosea (1905) 339 The question is rhetorical, indicating excitement.

1958 J. Osborne & A. Creighton Epit. G. Dillon (1960) 203 Barney. I take it you are interested in money? George. Is that a rhetorical question?

1990 P. Ustinov Old Man & Mr Smith v. 53 Your question is merely rhetorical. You don't really expect me to answer.

2001 I. McEwan Atonement 85 The rhetorical questions had a clammy air; the exclamation mark was the first resort of those who want to make themselves clearer.