oracle
OR-uh-kuhl
/ˈɒr.ə.kəl/
A priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from the gods.
Can refer to the person, the place where the prophecy is given, or the prophecy itself.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Latin 'orare', meaning 'to speak' or 'to pray'. This is the same root that gives us 'oration' and 'orator'. In the ancient world, the oracle was the literal 'mouthpiece' of the divine.
Word relationships
- prophet: A prophet speaks for a god; an oracle is often the specific medium or location for the god's message.
- seer: A seer 'sees' the future; an oracle 'speaks' the god's word.
Commonly confused with
- auricle: An auricle is a part of the ear or heart; an oracle is a fortune-teller.
Word family
- oracular (adjective): Relating to an oracle; often hard to interpret or ambiguous.
Collocations
- consult an oracle
- delphic oracle
- seek an oracle
- divine oracle
Example sentences
- "Kings and generals traveled miles to consult the Oracle of Delphi before making major decisions." Referring to the most famous oracle in history.
- "I am Sir Oracle, and when I ope my lips let no dog bark!" A famous line from Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice'.
Memory hook
An Oracle speaks with 'Oral' authority. The speaking mouth of God.
When not to use
Avoid using it for a simple weather forecast or a data-driven prediction; it implies a mystical or infallible source.
Fun facts
- The Oracle of Delphi was said to breathe in vapors from a chasm in the earth to enter a trance.
- The tech company Oracle was named after a CIA project the founders worked on.
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