paternoster

[ pey-ter-nos-ter, pah‑, pat-er‑ ]

noun

1. (often initial capital letter) Also Pater Noster. the Lord's Prayer, especially in the Latin form.
2. a recitation of this prayer as an act of worship.
3. one of certain beads in a rosary, regularly every 11th bead, differing in size or material from the rest and indicating that the Lord's Prayer is to be said.
4. any fixed recital of words used as a prayer or magical charm.
5. a doorless, continuously moving elevator for passengers or goods, having numerous platforms or compartments that rise or descend on a moving chain.
6. (initial capital letter) Architecture. pearl molding.

Paternoster

¹

/ ˌpætəˈnɒstə /

noun

1. the Lord's Prayer, esp in Latin
2. the recital of this as an act of devotion

paternoster

²

/ ˌpætəˈnɒstə /

noun

1. RC Church the beads at the ends of each decade of the rosary marking the points at which the Paternoster is recited
2. any fixed form of words used as a prayer or charm
3. Also calledpaternoster line a type of fishing tackle in which short lines and hooks are attached at intervals to the main line
4. a type of lift in which platforms are attached to continuous chains. The lift does not stop at each floor but passengers enter while it is moving

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternoster¹

before 1000; Middle English, Old English: Lord's prayer < Latin pater noster our father, its first two words in the Vulgate (Matthew VI: 9

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternoster¹

see paternoster

Origin of paternoster²

Latin, literally: our father (from the opening of the Lord's Prayer)

Example Sentences

Some said "Our Father" and some "Paternoster," and they all meant the same.

From Project Gutenberg

The exhortation was usually followed by a loud saying of a Paternoster and a "Hail Mary" by all present.

From Project Gutenberg

The lad knelt down, and devoutly said his Paternoster, and began to play upon his pipe so that it was heard over hill and dale.

From Project Gutenberg

“It is as though the bearer had run for a paternoster-while, and then leaped the river,” Dick observed.

From Project Gutenberg

They gave me the address of a magazine in your Rue Paternoster, and at that place I was this morning informed where to find you.

From Project Gutenberg