Oration
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [1]
The word occurs in the NT only in connexion with Herod Agrippa, who, at Caesarea, ‘made an oration’ (δημηγορέω) from the throne (or judgment-seat [Revised Version margin]) to the embassy from Tyre and Sidon ( Acts 12:21). It refers to set speeches made in public assemblies, but sometimes it is employed in a derogatory sense for speeches of the demagogic order. There is a curious use of the word in the Septuagint, Proverbs 30:31 ( Proverbs 28:27)-βασιλεὺς δημηγορῶν ἐν ἔθνει. It was not an unusual thing for kings and princes to make orations in public assembly.
John Reid.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [2]
from demos, "the people" and agoreuo, "to speak in the public assembly, to deliver an oration," occurs in Acts 12:21 .
King James Dictionary [3]
ORA'TION, n. L. oratio, from oro, to pray, to utter.
1. A speech or discourse composed according to the rules of oratory, and spoken in public. Orations may be reduced to three kinds demonstrative, deliberative, and judicial. 2. In modern usage, an oration differs from a sermon, from an argument at the bar, and from a speech before a deliberative assembly. The word is now applied chiefly to discourses pronounced on special occasions, as a funeral oration, an oration on some anniversary, &c. and to academic declamations. 3. A harangue a public speech or address.
Webster's Dictionary [4]
(1): ( n.) An elaborate discourse, delivered in public, treating an important subject in a formal and dignified manner; especially, a discourse having reference to some special occasion, as a funeral, an anniversary, a celebration, or the like; - distinguished from an argument in court, a popular harangue, a sermon, a lecture, etc.; as, Webster's oration at Bunker Hill.
(2): ( v. i.) To deliver an oration.
