Hypertext Webster Gateway: "oracle"

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)

Oracle
In the Old Testament used in every case, except 2 Sam. 16:23, to
denote the most holy place in the temple (1 Kings 6:5, 19-23;
8:6). In 2 Sam. 16:23 it means the Word of God. A man inquired
"at the oracle of God" by means of the Urim and Thummim in the
breastplate on the high priest's ephod. In the New Testament it
is used only in the plural, and always denotes the Word of God
(Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12, etc.). The Scriptures are called "living
oracles" (comp. Heb. 4:12) because of their quickening power
(Acts 7:38).

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Oracle \Or"a*cle\, n. [F., fr. L. oraculum, fr. orare to speak,
utter, pray, fr. os, oris, mouth. See {Oral}.]
1. The answer of a god, or some person reputed to be a god,
to an inquiry respecting some affair or future event, as
the success of an enterprise or battle.

Whatso'er she saith, for oracles must stand.
--Drayton.

2. Hence: The deity who was supposed to give the answer;
also, the place where it was given.

The oracles are dumb; No voice or hideous hum Runs
through the arched roof in words deceiving.
--Milton.

3. The communications, revelations, or messages delivered by
God to the prophets; also, the entire sacred Scriptures --
usually in the plural.

The first principles of the oracles of God. --Heb.
v. 12.

4. (Jewish Antiq.) The sanctuary, or Most Holy place in the
temple; also, the temple itself. --1 Kings vi. 19.

Siloa's brook, that flow'd Fast by the oracle of
God. --Milton.

5. One who communicates a divine command; an angel; a
prophet.

God hath now sent his living oracle Into the world
to teach his final will. --Milton.

6. Any person reputed uncommonly wise; one whose decisions
are regarded as of great authority; as, a literary oracle.
``Oracles of mode.'' --Tennyson.

The country rectors . . . thought him an oracle on
points of learning. --Macaulay.

7. A wise sentence or decision of great authority.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Oracle \Or"a*cle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Oracled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Oracling}.]
To utter oracles. [Obs.]

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

oracle
n 1: an authoritative person who divines the future [syn: {prophet},
{seer}, {vaticinator}]
2: a prophecy (usually obscure or allegorical) revealed by a
priest or priestess; believed to be infallible
3: a shrine where an oracular god is consulted


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