Hypertext Webster Gateway: "oration"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Oration \O*ra"tion\, n.[L. oratio, fr. orare to speak, utter,
pray. See {Oral}, {Orison}.]
An elaborate discourse, delivered in public, treating an
important subject in a formal and dignified manner;
especially, a discourse having reference to some special
occasion, as a funeral, an anniversary, a celebration, or the
like; -- distinguished from an argument in court, a popular
harangue, a sermon, a lecture, etc.; as, Webster's oration at
Bunker Hill.
The lord archbishop . . . made a long oration. --Bacon.
Syn: Address; speech. See {Harangue}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Oration \O*ra"tion\, v. i.
To deliver an oration. --Donne.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
oration
n : an instance of oratory; "he delivered an oration on the
decline of family values"
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