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Webster 1913 Edition

Oracle

Or′a-cle

,
Noun.
[F., fr. L.
oraculum
, fr.
orare
to speak, utter, pray, fr.
os
,
oris
, mouth. See
Oral
.]
1.
The answer of a god, or some person reputed to be a god, to an inquiry respecting some affair or future event, as the success of an enterprise or battle.
Whatso’er she saith, for
oracles
must stand.
Drayton.
2.
Hence:
The deity who was supposed to give the answer; also, the place where it was given.
The
oracles
are dumb;
No voice or hideous hum
Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving.
Milton.
3.
The communications, revelations, or messages delivered by God to the prophets; also, the entire sacred Scriptures – usually in the plural.
The first principles of the
oracles
of God.
Heb. v. 12.
4.
(Jewish Antiq.)
The sanctuary, or Most Holy place in the temple; also, the temple itself.
1 Kings vi. 19.
Siloa's brook, that flow'd
Fast by the
oracle
of God.
Milton.
5.
One who communicates an oracle{1} or divine command; an angel; a prophet.
God hath now sent his living
oracle

Into the world to teach his final will.
Milton.
6.
Any person reputed uncommonly wise; one whose decisions are regarded as of great authority;
as, a literary
oracle
.
“Oracles of mode.”
Tennyson.
The country rectors . . . thought him an
oracle
on points of learning.
Macaulay.

Or′a-cle

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Oracled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Oracling
.]
To utter oracles.
[Obs.]

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