Definition

1. 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

1. a shrine where an oracular god is consulted
2. a prophecy (usually obscure or allegorical) revealed by a priest or priestess; believed to be infallible
3. an authoritative person who divines the future