The term oral takes on a range of connotations depending on the context in which it is used. It is typically used as an adjective where it could mean spoken rather than written. It could also mean of or pertaining to the mouth. It could mean used in or taken via the mouth. It may be used to mean consisting of or using speech. In terms of linguistics, oral may mean articulated using the mouth only; that is, with the nasal passages blocked.
The term takes on a special meaning in the field of psychology, where in psychoanalytic theory it means of or pertaining to the earliest stage of psycho sexual development. This stage lasts from birth to around 18 months, during which time it is the mouth is the primary focus of both exploration and pleasure. The anal stage follows this period.
As a noun it means an academic examination wherein questions and answers are in the spoken form rather than written.
The term takes on a special meaning in the field of psychology, where in psychoanalytic theory it means of or pertaining to the earliest stage of psycho sexual development. This stage lasts from birth to around 18 months, during which time it is the mouth is the primary focus of both exploration and pleasure. The anal stage follows this period.
As a noun it means an academic examination wherein questions and answers are in the spoken form rather than written.
