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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.]

Definition 2024


Oracle

Oracle

See also: oracle

English

Proper noun

Oracle

  1. (computing) A database management system (and its associated software) developed by the Oracle Corporation

oracle

oracle

See also: Oracle

English

Noun

oracle (plural oracles)

  1. A shrine dedicated to some prophetic deity.
    • Milton:
      The oracles are dumb; / No voice or hideous hum / Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving.
  2. A person such as a priest through whom the deity is supposed to respond with prophecy or advice.
  3. A prophetic response, often enigmatic or allegorical, so given.
    • Drayton:
      Whatso'er she saith, for oracles must stand.
  4. A person considered to be a source of wisdom.
    a literary oracle
    • Macaulay:
      The country rectors [] thought him an oracle on points of learning.
    • Tennyson:
      oracles of mode
  5. A wise sentence or decision of great authority.
  6. One who communicates a divine command; an angel; a prophet.
    • Milton:
      God hath now sent his living oracle / Into the world to teach his final will.
  7. (computing theory) A theoretical entity capable of answering some collection of questions.
  8. (Jewish antiquity) The sanctuary, or most holy place in the temple; also, the temple itself.
    • Milton:
      Siloa's brook, that flow'd / Fast by the oracle of God.
    • Bible, 1 Kings 6:19, King James Version:
      And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

Derived terms

Synonyms

  • (priest acting as conduit of prophecy): prophet
  • (person who is a source of wisdom): expert

Translations

Verb

oracle (third-person singular simple present oracles, present participle oracling, simple past and past participle oracled)

  1. (obsolete) To utter oracles or prophecies.

Translations

Anagrams


Catalan

Noun

oracle m (plural oracles)

  1. oracle

French

Etymology

From Latin oraculum.

Noun

oracle m (plural oracles)

  1. oracle

Anagrams