PRAYER

prayer, supplication

(noun) the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving); “the priest sank to his knees in prayer”

prayer

(noun) a fixed text used in praying

entreaty, prayer, appeal

(noun) earnest or urgent request; “an entreaty to stop the fighting”; “an appeal for help”; “an appeal to the public to keep calm”

prayer, petition, orison

(noun) reverent petition to a deity

prayer, supplicant

(noun) someone who prays to God

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

prayer (countable and uncountable, plural prayers)

A practice of communicating with one's God.

The act of praying.

The specific words or methods used for praying.

A meeting held for the express purpose of praying.

A request; a petition.

(mostly in negative constructions) The remotest hope or chance.

Synonyms

• orison, precation

• bead (archaic)

Etymology 2

Noun

prayer (plural prayers)

One who prays.

Source: Wiktionary


Pray"er, n.

Definition: One who prays; a supplicant.

Prayer (, n. Etym: [OE. preiere, OF. preiere, F. prière, fr. L. precarius obtained by prayer, fr. precari to pray. See Pray, v. i.]

1. The act of praying, or of asking a favor; earnest request or entreaty; hence, a petition or memorial addressed to a court or a legislative body. "Their meek preyere." Chaucer

2. The act of addressing supplication to a divinity, especially to the true God; the offering of adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving to the Supreme Being; as, public prayer; secret prayer. As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer. Shak.

3. The form of words used in praying; a formula of supplication; an expressed petition; especially, a supplication addressed to God; as, a written or extemporaneous prayer; to repeat one's prayers. He made those excellent prayers which were published immediately after his death. Bp. Fell. Prayer book, a book containing devotional prayers.

– Prayer meeting, a meeting or gathering for prayer to God.

Syn.

– Petition; orison; supplication; entreaty; suit.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

23 November 2024

THEORETICAL

(adjective) concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; “theoretical science”


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Coffee Trivia

Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.

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