oracle
Definition
A person or thing regarded as a source of wise counsel, prophetic opinions, or infallible guidance.
In ancient Greece and Rome, a shrine or agency where a god was consulted for prophecies, typically through a priest or priestess.
An authoritative or profoundly wise statement or prediction.
A database management system or the company (Oracle Corporation) that develops it, often consulted like a modern prophetic tool by developers.
Examples
The ancient oracle at Delphi whispered cryptic advice that launched a thousand ships—mostly into confusion.
My smartphone's weather app has become my personal oracle, though it once predicted sunshine during a biblical flood.
In the startup pitch, the founder's wild hunch served as the oracle that convinced investors to bet the farm.
Consulting the family cat as an oracle for dinner choices usually ends with tuna and regret.