Agency Dictionary

Oratory

nounPronunciation: /ˈɒr.ə.tər.i/

In Portuguese: Oratória

What does “Oratory” mean?

The formal skill, art, or practice of public speaking with eloquence, clarity, and persuasive power.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin ōrātōria, the feminine form of the adjective ōrātōrius (pertaining to a speaker or the art of speaking), derived from ōrātor (speaker, pleader) and ultimately from ōrāre (to speak, to plead, to pray). The word names the art and practice of effective public speech and entered English as a learned term from Latin.

Usage note

Oratory names both the skill and the act. In classical rhetoric it was a systematic discipline; in modern use it often refers specifically to the delivery style of a speaker, with particular attention to voice, pace, and emotional impact.

Synonyms

rhetoric
elocution
eloquence
public speaking

Word family

orate
orator
oratorical
oratorically
oratorio

Usage examples

Nurturing his people with not only a true mastery of oratory but also the hope and inspiration that only such a leader can conceive in the heart of his followers.

Concept

Golden Age of AthensThe Golden Age of Athens was a fifth-century BCE period of democratic stability, cultural flourishing, and economic prosperity led by the statesman Pericles. It laid…

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Issue.7 - Economy in Crisis Pt.1March 16, 2023Read the edition

Words of the same theme

Antithesisnoun: A person, thing, or concept that represents the direct or exact opposite of another.
Rebirthnoun: A new beginning after a period of decline or destruction, used in mythology to describe the cyclical return to life after death. In Archetype.0, rebirth is the defining characteristic of both the Bennu and the Phoenix.
Discursiveadjective: Proceeding by reasoned argument or sequential exposition rather than by immediate visual intuition.
paperweightnoun: A small, heavy object placed on loose sheets of paper to prevent them from scattering or blowing away.
quotationnoun: A group of words taken verbatim from a published text or speech and repeated by another author.
shogunatenoun: A feudal military dictatorship in Japan, headed by a shogun, in which loyalty and honour were central to its operation. The system was exclusive to Japan and did not exist in other Asian nations.
eppur si muoveother: An Italian phrase meaning and yet it moves. It is used to affirm that a fact remains true no matter who denies it.
omissionnoun: The intentional or accidental act of leaving something out or excluding details from a statement or text.
Treatisenoun: A formal, systematic, and comprehensive written work dealing methodically with the principles and evidence of a particular philosophical, scientific, or technical subject.
Maximnoun: A concise statement expressing a fundamental principle, general truth, or practical rule of conduct.
verbatimadjective: In exactly the same words as the original, word for word. Said of a quotation or a transcription that changes nothing.
rhetoricnoun: The art of effective and persuasive speaking or writing, especially through strategic linguistic devices.

Also from these editions: terms

Agoranoun: A public open space in ancient Greek cities used for assemblies, commercial markets, and philosophical dialogue.
Bailoutnoun: An emergency provision of financial assistance to a failing company, bank, or economy to prevent insolvency.
Chitonnoun: A draped garment or tunic worn by men and women in ancient Greece, usually fastened at the shoulders by brooches.
Deflationaryadjective: Tending to cause or associated with a general and persistent decline in price levels across an economy.
Emporoinoun: Ancient Greek merchants or maritime traders who carried goods between different city-states and overseas ports.
Ephemeraladjective: Lasting for only a very brief period of time; fleeting, transitory, or impermanent in nature.
Eruditeadjective: Characterized by great knowledge, extensive learning, and scholarly cultivation across diverse disciplines.
Himationnoun: An outer garment consisting of a large rectangular mantle draped over the body, worn in ancient Greece.
Hydrianoun: An ancient Greek ceramic water vessel featuring three handles, used for carrying and pouring fresh water.
Stagnationnoun: A state of inactivity, sluggishness, or lack of growth in an economy or commercial system.
Volatilitynoun: The liability to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially in the market price of an asset or security.