oraculum Latin · revision 7253
16 Oct 2026, 13:23 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
Initial text
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Ennius|origins=la ōrō}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [oːˈraː.kʊ.ɫũː]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [oˈraː.ku.lum]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''ōrāculum''' ''n'' (genitive ōrāculī); second declension^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is from [[ōrō]] “to speak, pray” with the suffix [[-culum]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) Ennius has the syncopated ⟨ōrāclum⟩.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(OLD 2012) Isidore derives it from ⟨ōs⟩ “mouth”.^(TLL)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ Köbler's first source is Ennius, whom he dates 204–169 BC, and Lewis and Short cite Ennius' ''ex ōrāclō''.^(Köbler 2010)^(Lewis & Short 1879)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It meant a divine utterance given through a priest or priestess at a shrine, an oracle, as Cicero's ''ōrāculum ēdere'' “to give an oracle”, and also the agency or place of such utterance, as Cicero's ''ōrāculum petere ā Dōdōnā''.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) In Columella it meant an oracular saying, a maxim.^(OLD 2012)
+
+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant an oracle, revelation, utterance, and also an oratory or shrine.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it of a chapel for prayer, an oratory, and of a church without parish rights.^(Niermeyer 1976) Through Old French it gave [[en|oracle]] in the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius has ''ōrāclum''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of divine utterances and of shrines.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 1st century AD – Columella uses it of a maxim.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * late 14th century – English ''oracle'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A divine utterance, [[m|en|oracle]].^(OLD 2012)
+ # An oracle, the shrine or priest giving it.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A maxim, precept.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An [[m|en|oratory]], chapel.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Stelten 1995)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[ōrāculārius]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[ōrābilis]]
+ * [[ōrātiō]]
+ * [[ōrātiuncula]]
+ * [[ōrātor]]
+ * [[ōrātōriē]]
+ * [[ōrātōrius]]
+ * [[ōrātrīx]]
+ * [[ōrātum]]
+ * [[ōrātus]]
+ * [[ōrō]]
+ * [[ōs]]
+ * [[en|oracle]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}