prayer book

American  

[prair] / prɛər /

noun

1. a book containing formal prayers to be used in public or private religious devotions.

2. (usually initial capital letters) Book of Common Prayer.

3. Nautical. a small holystone.

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prayer book British  

/ prɛə /

noun

1. ecclesiast a book containing the prayers used at church services or recommended for private devotions

2. Church of England (often capitals) another name for Book of Common Prayer

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Etymology

Origin of prayer book

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

The note discovered by Galli was written on the leaf of the prayer book, which was copied in the Marche town of Camerino and completed in September-October 1446.

From Science Daily • Nov. 1, 2023

Tolbert was left everything, including rosaries, a prayer book and a picture of a child who appeared as if a ghost in an old frame.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2023

The item was originally thought to be a cushion cover, but is now believed to be a bible or prayer book cover.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2023

He tells the officer that yes, he does have a country and shows him a prayer book that U.S. authorities neglected to confiscate long ago.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 13, 2023

Then I remembered that I wasn’t allowed to read, so I closed the prayer book.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok