n. [ L., fr. orare to speak, utter. See Oration. ]
I am no orator, as Brutus is. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Some orator renowned
In Athens or free Rome. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Oratorical. [ R. ] Swift. --
a. Oratorical. [ Obs. ] R. North. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. F. oratorien. ] (R. C. Ch.) See
a. Of or pertaining to an orator or to oratory; characterized by oratory; rhetorical; becoming to an orator;
n. [ It., fr. L. oratorius belonging to praying. See Orator, and cf. Oratory. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ There are instances of secular and mythological subjects treated in the form of the oratorios, and called oratorios by their composers; as Haydn's “Seasons, ” Handel's “Semele, ” etc. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ LL. oratorius. ] Oratorical. [ Obs. ] Jer. Taylor. --
v. i. To play the orator. [ Jocose or derisive ] Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
An oratory [ temple ] . . . in worship of Dian. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
Do not omit thy prayers for want of a good oratory, or place to pray in. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]
Fathers of the Oratory (R. C. Ch.),
n. [ L. oratoria (sc. ars) the oratorical art. ] The art of an orator; the art of public speaking in an eloquent or effective manner; the exercise of rhetorical skill in oral discourse; eloquence. “The oratory of Greece and Rome.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
When a world of men
Could not prevail with all their oratory. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]