Category:Oratory

Or"a*to*ry, n.; pl. Oratories. Etym: [oe. oratorie, fr. L. oratorium, Fr. oratorius of praying, of an orator: cf. F. oratoire. See orator, Oral, and cf. Oratorio.]

Defn: a place of orisons, or prayer; especially, a chapel or small Room set apart for private devotions. An oratory [temple]. . . in worship of dian. Chaucer. Do not omit thy prayers for want of a good oratory, or place to pray In. Jer. Taylor. 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.

Oratory Or"a*to*ry, n. Etym: [l. oratoria (sc. ars) the oratorical art.]

Defn: 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. When a world of men could not prevail with all their oratory. Shak.