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oratory

 [awr-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, or-]   Example Sentences Origin

or·a·to·ry

1   [awr-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, or-]
noun
1.
skill or eloquence in public speaking: The evangelist moved thousands to repentance with his oratory.
2.
the art of public speaking, especially in a formal and eloquent manner.
Origin:
1580–90; < Latin ōrātōria, noun use of feminine of ōrātōrius of an orator. See orator, -tory1

Synonyms
1. rhetoric, delivery, declamation.

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Oratory is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
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Example Sentences
  • His oratory and his philosophy made him known to millions.
  • It might be noted, too, that there has been no dearth of primary oratory re the environment and health and medicine.
  • America's president used his oratory to superb effect.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged

or·a·to·ry

2   [awr-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, or-]
noun, plural -ries.
1.
a place of prayer, as a small chapel or a room for private devotions.
2.
(initial capital letter) Roman Catholic Church. any of the religious societies of secular priests who live in religious communities but do not take vows.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English < Late Latin ōrātōrium place of prayer. See orator, -tory2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To oratory
Collins
World English Dictionary
oratory1 (ˈɒrətərɪ, -trɪ)
 
—n
1.  the art of public speaking
2.  rhetorical skill or style
 
[C16: from Latin (ars) ōrātōria (the art of) public speaking]
 
ora'torical1
 
—adj
 
ora'torically1
 
—adv

oratory2 (ˈɒrətərɪ, -trɪ)
 
—n , pl -ries
a small room or secluded place, set apart for private prayer
 
[C14: from Anglo-Norman, from Church Latin ōrātōrium place of prayer, from ōrāre to plead, pray]

Oratory (ˈɒrətərɪ, -trɪ)
 
—n
1.  Also called: Congregation of the Oratory the religious society of secular priests (Oratorians) living in a community founded by St Philip Neri
2.  any church belonging to this society: the Brompton Oratory

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

oratory
"formal public speaking, the art of eloquence," 1586, from L. (ars) oratoria "oratorical (art)," fem. of oratorius "of speaking or pleading," from orare (see orator).
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oratory
"small chapel," c.1300, from L.L. oratorium "place of prayer" (especially the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Rome, where musical services were presented), properly an adj., as in oratorium templum, from neut. of L. oratorius "of or for praying," from orare (see orator).
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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