n.
Pronunciation: ' o ̇ r- ə -k ə l, ' är-
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin oraculum, from orare to speak ― more at ORATION
Date: 15th century
1 a : a person (as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak b : a shrine in which a deity reveals hidden knowledge or the divine purpose through such a person c : an answer or decision given by an oracle
2 a : a person giving wise or authoritative decisions or opinions b : an authoritative or wise expression or answer