oracle English · revision 1481

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1380}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɔɹəkəl/, /ˈɒɹəkəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|oracle]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) [[bor|fro|oracle|t=temple, house of prayer; oracle]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[la|ōrāculum|t=divine announcement; place where oracles are given]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[m|la|ōrāre|t=to speak, pray, plead]] (see [[orator]]) and the suffix [[m|la|-culum]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from [[m|la|ōs|t=mouth]].^(Weekley 1921)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A message from a god given through a priest or priestess, or the medium by which a god made his will known (about 1380 in Barnhart; c. 1400 in the OED; late 14th century in Etymonline).^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In antiquity the word meant the agency or medium of a god and also the place where his responses were given, such as the oracle of Apollo at Delphi.^(Etymonline)^(AHD)^(RHWU) It was transferred to Jewish and Christian revelation, and named the holy of holies in the Jewish temple (15th century).^(Hoad 1986)^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023) From the 16th century it meant a person or thing regarded as an authoritative or infallible guide.^(Hoad 1986)^(OED 1989) The phrase ''to work the oracle'', to obtain an answer in one's favour by influencing the medium, dates from 1863.^(OED 1989)^(Weekley 1921) The verb, to speak as an oracle, is from about 1595.^(OED 1989) The adjective [[oracular]] is from 1631.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1380 – a divine message given through a medium.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 15th century – the holy of holies.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 16th century – an authoritative guide.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1598 – an oracular response.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1863 – ''to work the oracle''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[shrine]] where a prophetic god was consulted, as that of [[Apollo]] at [[Delphi]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person, such as a priestess, through whom a god was held to answer when consulted.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The response given through such a medium, often obscure or [[ambiguous]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person regarded as a source of wise counsel or prophetic opinion; an authoritative or wise statement.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(Bible)'' A command or revelation from God; the holy of holies in the Temple.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(archaic)'' To proclaim or speak as an oracle.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[oracular]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[orator]]

+ * [[oration]]

+ * [[adore]]

+ * [[prophet]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}