or|a|to|ry

or|a|to|ry¹ «AWR uh _TAWR ee, -_TOHR-; OR-», noun.

1. skill in public speaking; fine speaking: »

Their leader's rabblerousing oratory had parlayed the seething resentments (Newsweek).

SYNONYM(S): eloquence.

2. the art of public speaking, especially according to definite rules. SYNONYM(S): declamation.

╂[< Latin (ars) ōrātōria oratorical (art), feminine adjective < ōrāre plead, speak formally]

or|a|to|ry² «AWR uh _TAWR ee, -_TOHR-; OR-», noun, plural -ries.

a small chapel; room set apart for prayer.

╂[< Late Latin ōrātōrium, noun use of adjective < Latin ōrāre pray, recite formally. See etym. of doublet oratorio. (Cf. ↑oratorio)]

Or|a|to|ry «AWR uh _TAWR ee, -_TOHR-; OR-», noun, plural -ries.

1. any one of certain religious societies of the Roman Catholic Church, especially one composed of secular priests, not bound by vows, devoted to simple and familiar preaching.

2. a local branch or house of an Oratory society.