Ave Maria

[ ah-vey muh-ree-uh ]

/ ˈɑ veɪ məˈri ə /

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noun

(italics) the first two words of the Latin version of a prayer in the Roman Catholic Church, based on the salutation of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary and the words of Elizabeth to her.

a recitation of this prayer.

the bead or beads on a rosary used to count off each prayer as spoken.

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Also called Hail Mary.

Origin of Ave Maria

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at ave

Words nearby Ave Maria

avec plaisir, Avedon, Aveiro, avel, Avellaneda, Ave Maria, avenaceous, avenge, avenger, avens, aventail

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Ave Maria in a sentence

A soaring “Ave Maria” and a tender “Danny Boy” marked the passing of two more brothers.
Boston and New York’s Bravest Are Brothers Bonded by Tragedy|Michael Daly|April 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet it seemed to her as though days had elapsed since she sang the Ave Maria in the cathedral.
A German Pompadour|Marie Hay
In a moment a soft and sympathetic voice was singing the first notes of Tosti's 'Ave Maria.'
The conquest of Rome|Matilde Serao
At the ringing of Ave Maria the great crowd linked in files and turned their faces towards the Corso.
The Eternal City|Hall Caine

Visitors should attend vespers here, the nuns singing choral service; it commences half an hour before Ave Maria.
Rambles in Rome|S. Russell Forbes
His body is interred at the Cordeliers, and his heart deposited at the Ave-Maria.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3)|Isaac D'Israeli

British Dictionary definitions for Ave Maria

Ave Maria

/ (məˈriːə) /

noun

another name for Hail Mary

Word Origin for Ave Maria

C14: from Medieval Latin: hail, Mary!

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012