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Webster 1913 Edition

Orator

Or′a-tor

,
Noun.
[L., fr.
orare
to speak, utter. See
Oration
.]
1.
A public speaker; one who delivers an oration; especially, one distinguished for his skill and power as a public speaker; one who is eloquent.
I am no
orator
, as Brutus is.
Shakespeare
Some
orator
renowned
In Athens or free Rome.
Milton.
2.
(Law)
(a)
In equity proceedings, one who prays for relief; a petitioner.
(b)
A plaintiff, or complainant, in a bill in chancery.
Burrill.
3.
(Eng. Universities)
An officer who is the voice of the university upon all public occasions, who writes, reads, and records all letters of a public nature, presents, with an appropriate address, those persons on whom honorary degrees are to be conferred, and performs other like duties; – called also
public orator
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Orator

OR'ATOR

,
Noun.
[L.]
1.
A public speaker. In ancient Rome, orators were advocates for clients in the forum and before the senate and people. They were employed in causes of importance instead of the common patron.
2.
In modern usage, a person who pronounces a discourse publicly on some special occasion, as on the celebration of some memorable event.
3.
An eloquent public speaker; a speaker, by way of eminence. We say, a man writes and reasons well, but is no orator. Lord Chatham was an orator.
4.
In France, a speaker in debate in a legislative body.
5.
In chancery, a petitioner.
6.
An officer in the universities in England.

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