[or.a.cle] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L oraculum, fr. orare to speak--more at oration] (15c) 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