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Glite Dictionary
oracle of Delphi

oracle of Delphi

9.6
A shrine in ancient Greece where a priestess gave mysterious messages from the god Apollo
  • noun
  • /ˈɔrɪkəl əv ˈdɛlfaɪ/
  • Literature
translation icon : oráculo de Delfos
  • Consumed by grief, Hercules sought out the Oracle of Delphi, who told him the path to atonement laid with his cousin, King Eurystheus of Tyrans.

Examples

  • - Behold, the oracle of Delphi speaks.

    Atlas (1961)

  • The lord who is the oracle of Delphi neither speaks nor is silent but gives a sign.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Yet nothing lasts forever, and the Oracle of Delphi would be no exception.

  • Although the king of Crete heeds the oracle of Delphi as a divine pronouncement, he does not esteem the judgment of astrologers.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Many ancient Greeks traveled long distances to seek guidance from the oracle of Delphi, where the priestess delivered prophecies from Apollo.

  • Hercules visited the oracle of Delphi to receive a prophecy that would guide him on his quest for redemption.

  • The oracle of Delphi was known for its cryptic messages that influenced decisions made by leaders and common people alike.

Synonyms

oracle
vsoracle of Delphi
  • Literature
3 9.1

A place where people ask a god for advice or to learn the future

is the specific famous shrine where a priestess gave cryptic prophecies
Delphic oracle
vsoracle of Delphi
  • Literature
9.9

A woman at Delphi in ancient Greece who gives mysterious advice from the god Apollo to people who ask

is the same shrine and function but presented in the main entry
Oracle of Apollo
vsoracle of Delphi
  • Literature
9.9

A place in ancient Greece where a woman spoke for Apollo and gave unclear predictions

is equivalent but uses a different phrasing in the head entry
Temple of Apollo
vsoracle of Delphi
  • Literature
9.2

A Greek temple at Delphi where a priestess gives predictions from the god Apollo

focuses on the shrine role rather than the building term

Surface Forms

oracle of Delphi singular
oracles of Delphi plural

Morphology

oracle + of + Delphi

The phrase literally combines 'oracle' (a shrine or person giving divine prophecies) with the place name 'Delphi', so a learner who knows both words will understand it refers to the prophetic shrine at Delphi. This is a straightforward noun + of + place composition found cross-linguistically, so the meaning is transparently derivable from its parts.

Etymology

Oracle of Delphi The oracle at Delphi was a priestess in a famous temple who spoke for the god Apollo and gave short, often puzzling 'prophecies' to people with big questions. That's why today the name is used for a person or source people see as a wise but sometimes mysterious 'advisor'.