prayer

¹

[prair]

noun

1. a devout petition to God or an object of worship.

2. a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.

3. the act or practice of praying to God or an object of worship.

4. a formula or sequence of words used in or appointed for praying.

   the Lord's Prayer.

5. prayers, a religious observance, either public or private, consisting wholly or mainly of prayer.

6. that which is prayed for.

7. a petition; entreaty.

8. the section of a bill in equity, or of a petition, that sets forth the complaint or the action desired.

9. a negligible hope or chance.

   Do you think he has a prayer of getting that job?

prayer

²

[prey-er]

noun

1. a person who prays.

prayer

¹

/ prɛə /

noun

1. 1. a personal communication or petition addressed to a deity, esp in the form of supplication, adoration, praise, contrition, or thanksgiving

   2. any other form of spiritual communion with a deity

2. a similar personal communication that does not involve adoration, addressed to beings venerated as being closely associated with a deity, such as angels or saints

3. the practice of praying

   prayer is our solution to human problems

4. (often plural) a form of devotion, either public or private, spent mainly or wholly praying

   morning prayers

5. (capital when part of a recognized name) a form of words used in praying

   the Lord's Prayer

6. an object or benefit prayed for

7. an earnest request, petition, or entreaty

8. law a request contained in a petition to a court for the relief sought by the petitioner

9. slang,  a chance or hope

   she doesn't have a prayer of getting married

prayer

²

/ ˈpreɪə /

noun

1. a person who prays

Other Word Forms

• prayerless adjective
• prayerlessly adverb
• prayerlessness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prayer¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English preier(e), preire, from Old French priiere, preiere, from Medieval Latin precāria, noun use of feminine of precārius “given as a favor, obtained by entreaty,” equivalent to prec- (stem of prex ) “prayer, supplication” + -ārius -ary; precarious

Origin of prayer²

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English preier(e), preyare; pray; -er ¹ ( def. ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of prayer¹

C13 preiere, from Old French, from Medieval Latin precāria, from Latin precārius obtained by begging, from prex prayer

Example Sentences

"I understand that one man is, very tragically, dead. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time," he said.

From BBC

St. Michael’s Abbey describes itself as a community of Canons Regular of Prémontré, under the guardianship of St. Michael the Archangel, with more than 60 years of daily prayer, teaching and service.

From Los Angeles Times

"Horrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and survivors."

From BBC

Since then, members of the main opposition Chadema party have launched a search across Mbeya and have held prayer vigils demanding answers from the police, whom they suspect to be complicit in the incident.

From BBC

“Truly, it was something me and my wife made a decision together from a place of prayer,” Scott said of re-signing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appeal 
• invocation 
• plea 
• service 
• worship