Hail Mary
Meanings
noun
- A prayer, of established or conventional wording, calling for the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
- A risky last-ditch effort with great benefit but little chance of success; one whose success would require divine intervention; a Hail Mary pass.
verb
- To pray by saying a Hail Mary.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
From Middle English Heil Marie. The extended figurative sense alludes to the notion of saying a prayer that the action will succeed.
Synonyms
Derived words
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