oratorio

or·a·to·rio

noun \ˌȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-ˌō, ˌär-\

plural or·a·to·ri·os

Definition of ORATORIO

: a lengthy choral work usually of a religious nature consisting chiefly of recitatives, arias, and choruses without action or scenery

Origin of ORATORIO

Italian, from the Oratorio di San Filippo Neri (Oratory of St. Philip Neri) in Rome

First Known Use: 1731

Rhymes with ORATORIO

ab initio, archipelago, braggadocio, dog and pony show, duodecimo, ex officio, generalissimo, glory-of-the-snow, impresario, internuncio, Paramaribo, pianissimo, variety show