oratory

oratory · noun¹

1. Late Latin · derived fromōrātōrium
2. Middle French · derived fromoratoire
3. Anglo-Norman · derived fromoratorie
4. Middle English · inherited fromoratorie
5. English todayoratory

From Middle English oratorie, from Anglo-Norman oratorie, Middle French oratoire, and their source, Late Latin ōrātōrium. Doublet of oratorio. Displaced native Old English bēdhūs.

oratory · noun²

1. Latin · borrowed fromōrātōria
2. English todayoratory

Borrowed from Latin ōrātōria, from the feminine of ōrātōrius (“oratorial”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. A private chapel or prayer room.
• from 16th c. The art of public speaking, especially in a formal, expressive, or forceful manner.