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Webster 1913 Edition


Oration

O-ra′tion

,
Noun.
[L.
oratio
, fr.
orare
to speak, utter, pray. See
Oral
,
Orison
.]
An elaborate discourse, delivered in public, treating an important subject in a formal and dignified manner; especially, a discourse having reference to some special occasion, as a funeral, an anniversary, a celebration, or the like; – distinguished from an argument in court, a popular harangue, a sermon, a lecture, etc.;
as, Webster’s
oration
at Bunker Hill
.
The lord archbishop . . . made a long
oration
.
Bacon.
Syn. – Address; speech. See
Harangue
.

O-ra′tion

,
Verb.
I.
To deliver an oration.
Donne.

Webster 1828 Edition


Oration

ORA'TION

,
Noun.
[L. oratio, from oro, to pray, to utter.]
1.
A speech or discourse composed according to the rules of oratory, and spoken in public. Orations may be reduced to three kinds; demonstrative, deliberative, and judicial.
2.
In modern usage, an oration differs from a sermon, from an argument at the bar, and from a speech before a deliberative assembly. The word is now applied chiefly to discourses pronounced on special occasions, as a funeral oration, an oration on some anniversary, &c. and to academic declamations.
3.
A harangue; a public speech or address.

Definition 2024


oration

oration

English

Noun

oration (plural orations)

  1. A formal ceremonial speech.
  2. A specific form of short, solemn prayer in Roman Catholic rite said by the president of the liturgical celebration for the sake of the people.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Verb

oration (third-person singular simple present orations, present participle orationing, simple past and past participle orationed)

  1. To deliver an oration; to speak.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Donne to this entry?)

Anagrams