I. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌtōrē, -tȯr-, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English oratorie, from Late Latin oratorium, from Latin oratus (past participle of orare to pray) + -orium -ory — more at oration
1. : a place of orisons or prayer ; especially : a chapel or small room set apart for private devotions
2. often capitalized : an establishment or house of the Oratorians
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin oratoria, from feminine of oratorius oratorial — more at oratorial
1. : the art of an orator : the art of speaking in public eloquently or effectively : the exercise of rhetorical skill in discourse : eloquence
a student of oratory
2. : an example or instance of rhetorical speech or art : the substance of such speech
his oratory was pure bombast
campaign oratory
your general's speeches … are admirable as oratory but damnably unhistorical — Robert Graves