Main Entry: oral

Pronunciation: \ˈōr-əl, ˈȯr-, ˈär-\

Function: adjective

1 a : of, relating to, or involving the mouth : buccal <the oral mucous membrane> b : given or taken through or by way of the mouth <an oral vaccine> <an oral suspension of a drug> c : acting on the mouth <oral diseases>
2 : emphasizing lipreading and the development of vocal expression in teaching the deaf—compare manual 2
3 a : of, relating to, or characterized by the first stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory during which libidinal gratification is derived from intake (as of food), by sucking, and later by biting b : of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits of passive dependence and aggressiveness—compare anal 2, genital 3, phallic 2

—oral·i·ty \ȯ-ˈral-ət-ē, ō-\ noun, plural oral·i·ties

—oral·ly adverb