a place of prayer, as a small chapel or a room for private devotions.
(initial capital letter)Roman Catholic Church. any of the religious societies of secular priests who live in religious communities but do not take vows.
Origin of oratory
2
1300–50;Middle English < Late Latinōrātōrium place of prayer. See orator, -tory2
"formal public speaking, the art of eloquence," 1580s, from Latin (ars) oratoria "oratorical (art)," fem. of oratorius "of speaking or pleading, pertaining to an orator," from orare "to speak, pray, plead" (see orator).
n.2
"small chapel," c.1300, from Old French oratorie and directly from Late Latin oratorium "place of prayer" (especially the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Rome, where musical services were presented), noun use of an adjective, as in oratorium templum, from neuter of Latin oratorius "of or for praying," from orare "to pray, plead, speak" (see orator).
