Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

or·a·cle       (ôr'ə-kəl, ŏr'-)  Pronunciation Key  n.   A shrine consecrated to the worship and consultation of a prophetic deity, as that of Apollo at Delphi. A person, such as a priestess, through whom a deity is held to respond when consulted. The response given through such a medium, often in the form of an enigmatic statement or allegory. A person considered to be a source of wise counsel or prophetic opinions. An authoritative or wise statement or prediction. A person considered to be a source of wise counsel or prophetic opinions. An authoritative or wise statement or prediction. A command or revelation from God. In the Bible, the sanctuary of the Temple. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin ōrāculum, from ōrāre, to speak.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
oracle 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

oracle
noun
1.	an authoritative person who divines the future [syn: prophet]
2.	a prophecy (usually obscure or allegorical) revealed by a priest or priestess; believed to be infallible
3.	a shrine where an oracular god is consulted

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Oracle, AZ (CDP, FIPS 51180) Location: 32.61877 N, 110.78419 W
Population (1990): 3043 (1185 housing units)
Area: 24.8 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 85623

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Oracle

Or"a*cle\, n. [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 a 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.

7. A wise sentence or decision of great authority.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Oracle

Or"a*cle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Oracled; p. pr. & vb. n. Oracling.] To utter oracles. [Obs.]

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Oracle

In the Old Testament used in every case, except 2 Sam. 16:23, to denote the most holy place in the temple (1 Kings 6:5, 19-23; 8:6). In 2 Sam. 16:23 it means the Word of God. A man inquired "at the oracle of God" by means of the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate on the high priest's ephod. In the New Testament it is used only in the plural, and always denotes the Word of God (Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12, etc.). The Scriptures are called "living oracles" (comp. Heb. 4:12) because of their quickening power (Acts 7:38).