- oratory (1)
- "formal public speaking, the art of eloquence," 1586, from L. (ars) oratoria "oratorical (art)," fem. of oratorius "of speaking or pleading," from orare (see orator).
- oratory (2)
- "small chapel," c.1300, from L.L. oratorium "place of prayer" (especially the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Rome, where musical services were presented), properly an adj., as in oratorium templum, from neut. of L. oratorius "of or for praying," from orare (see orator).