Definition

Noun: 1. The Oracle at Delphi: In Greek mythology, the sacred site at Delphi where a priestess, known as the Pythia, was believed to deliver prophecies and messages from the god Apollo to individuals and city-states who sought guidance. The pronouncements were famously cryptic and open to interpretation.

Usage

• The Oracle of Delphi was consulted by kings and commoners alike before making major decisions.
• The ambiguous advice from the Oracle of Delphi often led to unexpected outcomes.
• Croesus famously misinterpreted the prophecy from the Oracle of Delphi about his war with Persia.

Advanced Usage

• The Delphic Oracle is a synonymous term, emphasizing the location.
  • The response from the Delphic Oracle was characteristically enigmatic.
• Used metaphorically to describe a source of mysterious, ambiguous, or authoritative wisdom.
  • The reclusive professor was considered the oracle of Delphi for economic policy.

Variants and Related Words

• Pythia (n): The title of the priestess who served as the medium for the oracle.
• Delphic (adj): Pertaining to Delphi or the oracle; often used to describe something deliberately obscure or ambiguous.
  • He gave a Delphic answer that clarified nothing.

Synonyms

• Prophetess (specifically the Pythia)
• Seer
• Sibyl (a general term for a female prophet in the ancient world)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Delphic utterance: A statement that is purposefully ambiguous or difficult to understand.
  • The CEO's statement about future layoffs was a Delphic utterance, leaving employees anxious.

Noun

1. (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