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