oracle (orakl)

[ IMG:content-1782.png:[merged small][ocr errors][merged small] 1, Orach ( A triplex patula); 2, the inflorescence; a, a male flower; b, a female flower; c, the fruit with the calyx. colo, prise or battle, or some proposed line of conduct. Such oracles exerted for centuries a strong influ ence upon the course of human affairs, the belief of both the medium and the questioner in their divine inspiration being in most cases genuine. The oracles themselves, however, were often ambiguous or at least obscure. The prestige of the chief oracular seats of Greece was powerful in the promotion of good government and justice. After the introduction of Christianity the utterance of oracles gradually ceased. It was a common belief of early Christians that the oracles actually proceeded from evil spirits. Though I am satisfied and need no more Than what I know, yet shall the oracle Give rest to the minds of others. Shak., W. T., ii. 1. 190. (b) The deity who was supposed to give such answers to inquiries. The oracles are dumb, No voice or hideous hum Runs thro' the arched roof in words deceiving. Milton, Nativity, 1. 173. Oracles are brief and final in their utterances. O. W. Holmes, Emerson, iv. (c) The place where oracular answers were given; the sanctuary, temple, or adytum whence the supposed supernatural responses proceeded. The Greeks surpa ed every other nation in both the number and the celebrity of their oracles. Those of Zeus at Dodona in Epirus, of Apollo at Delphi, and of Trophonius near Lebadeia in Bœotia enjoyed the highest reputation. Thither come, And let my grave-stone be your oracle. Shak., T. of A., v. 1. 222. 2. Hence, by extension - (a) The communications, revelations, or instruction delivered by God to or through his prophets: rarely used in the singular: as, the oracles of God; the divine oracles. This is he who received the lively cracles to give unto us. Acts vii. 38. They presume that the law doth speak with all indifferency; that the law hath no side-respect to their persons; that the law is, as it were, an oracle proceeded from wisdom and understanding. Hooker , Eccles. Polity, i. 10. (b) The sanctuary or most holy place in the temple, in which was deposited the ark of the covenant (1 Ki. vi. 19): sometimes used for the temple itself. The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims. 1 Ki. viii. 6. (c) A source or repository of the divine will that may be consulted or drawn upon. God hath now sent his living oracle Into the world to teach his final will. Milton , P. R., i. 460. 3. An uncommonly wise person, whose opinions are of great authority, and whose determinations are not disputed. I am Sir Oracle , And when I ope my lips let no dog bark. Shak ., M. of V., i. 1. 93. Tennyson, Prince , ii. Sleek Odalisques, or oracles of mode. 4. A wise saying or an authoritative decision given by such a person. oracle When rank Thersites opes his mastic jaws We shall hear music, wit, and oracle. Shak., T. and C., i. 3. 74. 5. Something that is looked upon as an infallible guide or standard of reference. Col. Pray, my lord, what 's a clock by your oracle ? Lord Sp . Faith, I can't tell; I think my watch runs upon wheels. Swift , Polite Conversation, Dial. i. oraclet (or'a-kl), v . i . [ No more shalt thou by oracling abuse The Gentiles. Milton , P. R., i. 455.