| / English Dictionary |
ORACLE
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A shrine where an oracular god is consulted
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("oracle" is a kind of...):
shrine (a place of worship hallowed by association with some sacred thing or person)
Instance hyponyms:
Delphic oracle; Oracle of Apollo; oracle of Delphi; Temple of Apollo ((Greek mythology) the oracle at Delphi where a priestess supposedly delivered messages from Apollo to those who sought advice; the messages were usually obscure or ambiguous)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A prophecy (usually obscure or allegorical) revealed by a priest or priestess; believed to be infallible
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("oracle" is a kind of...):
divination; prophecy (a prediction uttered under divine inspiration)
Derivation:
oracular (of or relating to an oracle)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An authoritative person who divines the future
Synonyms:
oracle; prophesier; prophet; seer; vaticinator
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("oracle" is a kind of...):
diviner (someone who claims to discover hidden knowledge with the aid of supernatural powers)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "oracle"):
augur; auspex ((ancient Rome) a religious official who interpreted omens to guide public policy)
prophetess (a woman prophet)
sibyl ((ancient Rome) a woman who was regarded as an oracle or prophet)
Derivation:
oracular (resembling an oracle in obscurity of thought)
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