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oracle

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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaryor·a·cle \ˈȯr-ə-kəl, ˈär-\ noun ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin oraculum, from orare to speak — more at oration DATE 15th century1. a. a person (as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak b. a shrine in which a deity reveals hidden knowledge or the divine purpose through such a person c. an answer or decision given by an oracle2. a. a person giving wise or authoritative decisions or opinions b. an authoritative or wise expression or answerEnglish Etymologyoracle late 14c., "a message from a god, expressed by divine inspiration," from O.Frhttp://O.Fr. oracle (12c.), from L. oraculum "divine announcement, oracle," from orare "pray, plead" (see orator), with material instrumental suffix -culo-. In antiquity, "the agency or medium of a god," also "the place where such divine utterances were given." This sense is attested in English from c.1400.Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7oracleor·acle / 5CrEkl; NAmE 5C:r-; 5B:r- / noun[C] 1. (in ancient Greece) a place where people could go to ask the gods for advice or information about the future; the priest or priestess through whom the gods were thought to give their message (古希腊的)神示所；(传达神谕的)牧师,女祭司: They consulted the oracle at Delphi. 他们在德尔斐神示所向神请示。 2. (in ancient Greece) the advice or information that the gods gave, which often had a hidden meaning (古希腊常有隐含意义的)神谕,神示3. [usually sing.] a person or book that gives valuable advice or information 能提供宝贵信息的人(或书)；权威；智囊: My sister's the oracle on investment matters. 我姐姐是个万无一失的投资顾问。 Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridgedor·a·cleI. \ˈȯrə̇kəl, ˈär-, -rēk-\ noun(-s)Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin oraculum, from orare to speak + -culum, suffix denoting means, place, or instrument — more at oration1. a. (1) : a revelation received from the God of Judaism and Christianity : a divine revelation (2) : a typically ambiguous or enigmatic revelation or utterance believed to issue from a divinity through a medium (as a priest or priestess) thought to be inspired b. : an authoritative or wise expression : an answer delivered with an aspect of oracular certainty < could utter oracles of Delphian ambiguity — Thomas Hardy >2. a. (1) : a medium by which a pagan god reveals hidden knowledge or makes known the divine purpose (2) : a medium of communication from the Hebraic or Christian God : an expounder or interpreter of God's will b. : a place where a divine revelation or an utterance believed to issue from a divinity is given3. a. : a person of great authority or wisdom whose opinions or judgments are regarded with great respect : one who is considered or professes to be infallible < a systematic philosopher, not a dabbler or oracle — W.W.Austin > b. : something (as a scientific instrument) on which one can rely for guidance or direction : an infallible guide < electronic computers are rapidly becoming the oracles of industry — Time >II. verb(oracled ; oracled ; oracling \-kliŋ\ ; oracles)archaic : to proclaim or speak as an oracle

A Oracle Divine An Person B From Speak