• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Zippy Facts Logo

Zippy Facts

Interesting Random Facts

  • Animals
  • Culture
  • Firsts
  • Food
  • Geography
  • Health
  • History
  • Inventions
  • Language
  • Mythology
  • Odds
  • People
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Space
  • Universe
  • World
You are here: Home / Language / Where does the word “oracle” come from and What does oracle mean?

Where does the word “oracle” come from and What does oracle mean?

February 29, 2020 by Karen Hill

The ancients would not think of entering upon any important undertaking without first consulting the will of the gods. (See also AUGUR.)

Perhaps this was partly curiosity as to the outcome of future events, but more probably it arose from a deep reverence for their gods and a belief that nothing should be undertaken without their approval.

Although Zeus was regarded as the father of all gods and men, they did not often approach him directly, because he was believed to be too remote from mortals to be concerned with their individual actions. Instead they made their usual supplications to the lesser gods and goddesses.

The questions, accompanied by prescribed gifts or sacrifices, were asked of the priests of the god whose favor was sought, and it was through these priests that the will of the god was then revealed.

The replies or prophecies that finally came from the lips of the priests, often in verse form, were usually of so obscure a nature that the supplicant could interpret them as he chose.

Sometimes, however, the replies showed great judgment. The temple or place where prophecies were sought, as well as the answer that was received, was known in Greece as manteion or chresterion.

In Rome, where the gods were consulted in similar manner, the more simple term was oraculum, from oro, pray, which has come to us as oracle.

Related Facts

  • Why Was The Delphic Oracle Important to the Ancient Greeks?
  • What does the word "gauntlet" mean and Where does the word gauntlet come from?
  • What does the word incubus (succubus) mean and Where does the word "incubus" come from?
  • Where does the word "Toilet" come from and What does the word Toilet mean in French?
  • What Does the Word Scapegoat Mean and Where Did the Word Scapegoat Come From?
  • What Does the Word "Clock" Mean in French and Where Did the Word For a Large Timepiece Come From?
  • Where Did the Word "Limbo" Come From and What Does the Word Mean?
  • Where Did the Word Dollar Come From and What Does the the Word Dollar Mean in German?
  • How Do You Pronounce the Word "Colonel", What Does it Mean, and Where Did the Word Come From?
  • What Does the Word "Gimmick" Mean and Where Did the Word Gimmick Come From?
  • What Does the Word "Monger" Mean and Where Did the Word Fishmonger Come From?
  • Why Does the Word "Moron" Mean "Stupid" and Where Did the Word Come From?

Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Previous Post: « How did Nicotine get its name and Where does the word “Nicotine” come from?
Next Post: Where does the word “one” come from and What does one mean in Old English? »

Footer

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • GitHub
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Medium
  • Pinterest
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Categories

Accomplishments Animals Culture Firsts Food Geography Health History Inventions Language Mythology Odds People Religion Science Space Universe World Your Body

About

Zippy Facts empowers the world by serving educational content that is accessible to everyone.

A tribute to growing up, zippyfacts.com showcases interesting and unusual facts about the world.

Our mission is to use technology to facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing.

Copyright © 2021 Zippy Facts

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy