sayer, spokesman
Term used originally for the “interpreter,” who communicated audibly to the assembled pupils the lessons of the rabbinic teacher. It was later applied as the generic term for the rabbis of the post-mishnaic period, whose activities were centered on the Mishnah. Even in that period the amora as teacher continued to employ amoraim as his spokesman. The amora stood by the teacher when he spoke and he in turn, conveyed those words to the audience.