Oration

n. [Lat. oratio, fr. orare, to speak, utter, pray; O. Fr. oration, N. Fr. oraison, Sp. oracion, It. orazione. Cf. ORAISON.] An elaborate discourse, delivered in public, treating an important subject in a dignified manner; especially, a discourse having reference to some occasion, as a funeral, an anniversary, a celebration, or the like; a stately or dignified address; a labored harangue;—distinguished from an argument or plea delivered in court, from a speech made off-hand, from a sermon delivered at a religious service, from a lecture designed to convey knowledge, and the like.

Synonyms—Harangue; address; speech. See HARANGUE.

v. i. To deliver an oration; to make a speech. [Obs. and rare.] Donne.