Hypertext Webster Gateway: "oratory"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Oratory \Or"a*to*ry\, n.; pl. {Oratories}. [OE. oratorie, fr. L.
oratorium, fr. oratorius of praying, of an orator: cf. F.
oratoire. See {Orator}, {Oral}, and cf. {Oratorio}.]
A place of orisons, or prayer; especially, a chapel or small
room set apart for private devotions.
An oratory [temple] . . . in worship of Dian.
--Chaucer.
Do not omit thy prayers for want of a good oratory, or
place to pray in. --Jer. Taylor.
{Fathers of the Oratory} (R. C. Ch.), a society of priests
founded by St. Philip Neri, living in community, and not
bound by a special vow. The members are called also
{oratorians}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Oratory \Or"a*to*ry\, n. [L. oratoria (sc. ars) the oratorical
art.]
The art of an orator; the art of public speaking in an
eloquent or effective manner; the exercise of rhetorical
skill in oral discourse; eloquence. ``The oratory of Greece
and Rome.'' --Milton.
When a world of men Could not prevail with all their
oratory. --Shak.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
oratory
n : addressing an audience formally (usually a long and
rhetorical address and often pompous); "he loved the
sound of his own oratory"
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