ˈȯrəd.ə(r), ˈär-, -ətə- also -ˌtȯ(ə)r or -ȯ(ə) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English oratour, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French orateur, from Latin orator, from oratus (past participle of orare ) + -or
1.
a. obsolete : advocate , pleader
b. : petitioner , suppliant
c. : the petitioner or plaintiff in a bill of information or petition in a court of justice especially in chancery
2.
a. : a public speaker : one who delivers an oration ; especially : one distinguished for his skill and power as a public speaker
might have been a spouter who thought he was an orator — W.A.White
b.
(1) : an officer of an English university who represents the university on public occasions, writes addresses and letters of a public nature, and presents candidates for honorary degrees
(2) : a college or high school student selected to deliver an oration at commencement or other public occasion
c. : one of the officers of the Masonic order and some other secret societies