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oratory definition

ora·tory (ôr′ə tôr′ē, är′-)

noun pl. oratories -·ries

  1. the art of an orator; skill or eloquence in public speaking

  2. Etymology: ME oratorie < LL(Ec) oratorium, place of prayer < L oratorius, of an orator (in Eccles. use, of praying) < orator

    a small chapel, esp. one for private prayer
  3. R.C.Ch. a religious society of secular priests, esp. that founded by Saint Philip Neri in 1564

Etymology: ME oratorie < L oratoria

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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