n. [ L., fr. orare to speak, utter. See Oration. ] 1. A public speaker; one who delivers an oration; especially, one distinguished for his skill and power as a public speaker; one who is eloquent. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am no orator, as Brutus is. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some orator renowned
In Athens or free Rome. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) (a) In equity proceedings, one who prays for relief; a petitioner. (b) A plaintiff, or complainant, in a bill in chancery. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Eng. Universities) An officer who is the voice of the university upon all public occasions, who writes, reads, and records all letters of a public nature, presents, with an appropriate address, those persons on whom honorary degrees are to be conferred, and performs other like duties; -- called also public orator. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Oratorical. [ R. ] Swift. --Or`a*to"ri*al*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Cf. F. oratorien. ] (R. C. Ch.) See Fathers of the Oratory, under Oratory. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Oratorical. [ Obs. ] R. North. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to an orator or to oratory; characterized by oratory; rhetorical; becoming to an orator; as, an oratorical triumph; an oratorical essay. -- Or`a*tor"ic*al*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ It., fr. L. oratorius belonging to praying. See Orator, and cf. Oratory. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Mus.) A more or less dramatic text or poem, founded on some Scripture nerrative, or great divine event, elaborately set to music, in recitative, arias, grand choruses, etc., to be sung with an orchestral accompaniment, but without action, scenery, or costume, although the oratorio grew out of the Mysteries and the Miracle and Passion plays, which were acted. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ There are instances of secular and mythological subjects treated in the form of the oratorios, and called oratorios by their composers; as Haydn's “Seasons, ” Handel's “Semele, ” etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Performance or rendering of such a composition. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. oratorius. ] Oratorical. [ Obs. ] Jer. Taylor. -- Or`a*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

v. i. To play the orator. [ Jocose or derisive ] Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. oratoria (sc. ars) the oratorical art. ] The art of an orator; the art of public speaking in an eloquent or effective manner; the exercise of rhetorical skill in oral discourse; eloquence. “The oratory of Greece and Rome.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

When a world of men
Could not prevail with all their oratory. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Oratories [ OE. oratorie, fr. L. oratorium, fr. oratorius of praying, of an orator: cf. F. oratoire. See Orator, Oral, and cf. Oratorio. ] A place of orisons, or prayer; especially, a chapel or small room set apart for private devotions. [ 1913 Webster ]

An oratory [ temple ] . . . in worship of Dian. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Do not omit thy prayers for want of a good oratory, or place to pray in. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fathers of the Oratory (R. C. Ch.), a society of priests founded by St. Philip Neri, living in community, and not bound by a special vow. The members are called also oratorians. [ 1913 Webster ]