oracle
/'ɔrəkl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A shrine where an oracular god is consulted: A sacred place where people in ancient times would go to seek advice or prophecies from a deity, often through a priest or priestess.
- A prophecy (usually obscure or allegorical) revealed by a priest or priestess; believed to be infallible: The message or prediction itself, given by a deity through a human medium, often in a mysterious or riddling form.
- An authoritative person who divines the future: A person who is considered a source of wise, authoritative, or infallible predictions or guidance.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Shrine):
- Pilgrims traveled to the oracle of Delphi to ask the god Apollo for guidance.
- The ancient oracle was located in a remote cave.
- Noun (Prophecy):
- The oracle foretold the king's downfall in a cryptic riddle.
- They made their decision based on a mysterious oracle.
- Noun (Authoritative Person):
- The economist is considered an oracle on matters of the stock market.
- In the tech world, he is viewed as an oracle whose predictions shape the industry.
Advanced Usage
- "To consult the oracle": To seek advice or a prophecy from a source believed to have divine or supreme knowledge.
- The general consulted the oracle before the decisive battle.
- "Oracle-like" (adjective): Having the qualities of an oracle; mysterious, prophetic, or infallibly wise.
- She gave an oracle-like pronouncement on the future of the company.
Variants and Related Words
- Oracular (adj): Relating to or resembling an oracle; prophetic or enigmatic.
- His statements were often oracular and difficult to interpret.
- Oracle bone (n): In ancient China, a piece of bone or shell used for divination, often inscribed with the prophecy.
- Archaeologists study oracle bones to understand Shang dynasty rituals.
Synonyms
- Prophet: A person who speaks by divine inspiration or predicts the future.
- Seer: A person who is supposed to be able, through supernatural insight, to see what the future holds.
- Sibyl: A woman in ancient times supposed to utter the oracles and prophecies of a god.
- Augur: A religious official in ancient Rome who interpreted omens to guide public policy.
Related Phrases
- Oracle at Delphi: The most famous ancient Greek oracle, where the Pythian priestess delivered prophecies from Apollo.
- The Oracle at Delphi was consulted by leaders from across the Greek world.
Idioms
- "Work the oracle": To use influence or persuasion to achieve a desired result, especially through indirect or secret means. (This idiom uses the word but is a fixed phrase with a specific meaning).
- He managed to work the oracle and get the proposal approved by the committee.
Noun
- a shrine where an oracular god is consulted
- a prophecy (usually obscure or allegorical) revealed by a priest or priestess; believed to be infallible
- an authoritative person who divines the future