Oral
/ˈɔːrəl/noun
Relating to the mouth or spoken words.
Did you know?In Latin, os meant both “mouth” and “face,” and from that same root came words for speech, mouths, and even the idea of speaking as a kind of power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃ed- / *h₃ekʷ-
“Roots associated with the mouth and speaking in early Indo-European branches.”
Latin
Latin
ōs, ōris
“Mouth; face; opening.”
Late Latin
Latin
orālis
“Of the mouth; spoken.”
Old French
Old French
oral
“Oral, by word of mouth.”
14th Century
English
oral
“Pertaining to the mouth or spoken expression.”
Modern English
English
oral
“Relating to the mouth or to spoken language.”