in the Italian music, a sort of sacred drama of dialogues; containing recitativos, duetos, trios, ritornellos, choruses, &c.

The subjects of these pieces are usually taken from the scriptures, or from the life of some saint, &c.

The music for the oratorio should be in the finest taste, and best chosen strains. These oratorios are greatly used at Rome, in time of lent; and of late, in England.

ORATORY. See Rhetoric.

Oratory, among the Romans, a closet or like apartment near a bed-chamber, furnished with an altar, crucifix, &c. for private devotion.

ORB, in astronomy, &c. denotes an hollow globe or sphere.

ORBICULARIS, in anatomy. See Anatomy, p. 306.