English Explanatory Dictionary

prayer

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A practice of communicating with one's God, or with some spiritual entity.
  2. An act of praying.
  3. The specific words or methods used for praying.
  4. A meeting held for the express purpose of praying.
  5. A request; a petition.
  6. The remotest hope or chance.
noun
  1. One who prays.

Pronunciation

/pɹɛə/ prâr prāʹər /ˈpɹeɪ.ɚ/ /pɹɛɚ/ /ˈpɹɛɹ/ en-us-prayer.ogg /ˈpɾe.jə(ɾ)/ /ˈpɹeɪə(ɹ)/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prayer (person).wav /ˈpɹeɪəɹ/

Word forms

prayer prayers

Etymology

From Middle English preiere, from Old French preiere, from Early Medieval Latin precāria, derived from Latin precem. Displaced native Old English ġebed (whence modern English bead).

Synonyms

orison precation bead

Derived words

antiprayer arrow prayer call to prayer dawn prayer evening prayer Friday prayers house of prayer morning prayer not have a prayer on a wing and a prayer prayer bead prayer beads prayer book prayer box prayer bump prayer card prayer circle prayer flag prayer for relief prayerful prayerhouse prayerish prayerless prayerlike prayer mat prayer meeting prayer mill prayer-monger prayer plant prayer room prayer rope prayer rug prayer shawl Prayers of the People prayersome prayer square prayer wheel prayerwise preprayer psychic prayer sinner's prayer sunset prayer the answer to a maiden's prayer wing and prayer without a prayer
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