orally
UK: ˈɔːrəli | US: ˈɔːrəli
adv. by means of speech; spoken rather than written
adv. through the mouth (e.g., administering medication)
The word "orally" derives from the Latin "oralis," meaning "of the mouth," which itself comes from "os" (genitive "oris"), meaning "mouth." The suffix "-ly" is an Old English adverbial marker, turning the adjective "oral" into an adverb. The term originally emphasized speech (as opposed to writing) and later expanded to describe administration methods (e.g., medicine). This dual meaning reflects the mouth’s dual role in communication and ingestion.
The instructions were given orally rather than in writing.
The vaccine can be taken orally or by injection.
She tested the students orally to assess their pronunciation.
The tradition was passed down orally for generations.
The doctor advised taking the medicine orally with water.