prayer

English Online Dictionary. What means prayer‎? What does prayer mean?

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English preiere, from Old French preiere, from Early Medieval Latin precāria, derived from Latin precem. Displaced native Old English ġebed.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /pɹɛə(ɹ)/
• (US) enPR: prâr, prāʹər, IPA^(key): /pɹɛɚ/, /ˈpɹɛɹ/, /ˈpɹeɪəɹ/
• Rhymes: -ɛə(ɹ), -eɪə(ɹ)

Noun

prayer (countable and uncountable, plural prayers)

1. (uncountable) A practice of communicating with one's God, or with some spiritual entity.

2. (countable) An act of praying.
3. The specific words or methods used for praying.

4. A meeting held for the express purpose of praying.

5. (countable) A request; a petition.

6. (in the singular, mostly in negative constructions) The remotest hope or chance.

Synonyms

• orison, precation
• bead (archaic)

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology 2

pray +‎ -er.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpɹeɪə(ɹ)/
• (US) enPR: prāʹər, IPA^(key): /ˈpɹeɪəɹ/
• Rhymes: -eɪə(ɹ)

Noun

prayer (plural prayers)

1. One who prays.

Translations