1. 1. A shrine consecrated to the worship and consultation of a prophetic deity, as that of Apollo at Delphi.
   2. A person, such as a priestess, through whom a deity is held to respond when consulted.
   3. The response given through such a medium, often in the form of an enigmatic statement or allegory.
2. 1. A person considered to be a source of wise counsel or prophetic opinions.
   2. An authoritative or wise statement or prediction.
3. A command or revelation from God.
4. In the Bible, the sanctuary of the Temple.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin ōrāculum, from ōrāre, to speak.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.