Or"a*to*ry (?), n.; pl. Oratories (#). [OE. oratorie, fr. L. oratorium, fr. oratorius of praying, of an orator: cf. F. oratoire. See Orator, Oral, and cf. Oratorio.]
A place of orisons, or prayer; especially, a chapel or small room set apart for private devotions.
An oratory [temple] . . . in worship of Dian.
Chaucer.
Do not omit thy prayers for want of a good oratory, or place to pray in.
Jer. Taylor.
Fathers of the Oratory R. C. Ch., a society of priests founded by St. Philip Neri, living in community, and not bound by a special vow. The members are called also oratorians.
© Webster 1913.
Or"a*to*ry, n. [L. oratoria (sc. ars) the oratorical art.]
The art of an orator; the art of public speaking in an eloquent or effective manner; the exercise of rhetorical skill in oral discourse; eloquence.
"The
oratory of Greece and Rome."
Milton.
When a world of men
Could not prevail with all their oratory.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.