Refine this word faster
Oratory
Definitions
- 1 The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, a society of priests and lay brothers founded in 1575.
- 1 A private chapel or prayer room.
"I will retire to my oratory, and pray to the blessed Virgin to inspire you with her holy counsels […]."
- 2 The art of public speaking, especially in a formal, expressive, or forceful manner. uncountable
- 3 Alternative letter-case form of oratory: a church belonging to the Oratory. alt-of
- 4 addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous) wordnet
- 5 A Roman Catholic chapel; a building for public or private worship that is not a parish church.
"By public oratories are meant those attached to monasteries, convents, seminaries, etc., having a public entrance by which the faithful have access to them."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Eloquence; the quality of artistry and persuasiveness in speech or writing. uncountable
"Rising from humble farmhand to community organizer to a leader of the national Fatah party, Mr. Barghouti became known for his soaring oratory and common touch."
- 7 A Catholic church belonging to the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri. specifically
"They had been given the old Oscott College premises as a temporary home, but were content there until Oratories could be established in the cities. St Philip Neri had specifically intended that the Oratory should be a city-based form of communal and missionary life."
Etymology
From Middle English oratorie, from Anglo-Norman oratorie, Middle French oratoire, and their source, Late Latin ōrātōrium. Doublet of oratorio.
Borrowed from Latin ōrātōria, from the feminine of ōrātōrius (“oratorial”).
See also for "oratory"
Next best steps
Mini challenge
Unscramble this word: oratory