prayer
pronunciation
How to pronounce prayer in British English:
UK [preə(r)]
How to pronounce prayer in American English:
US [prer]
-
- Noun:
- the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
- reverent petition to a deity
- earnest or urgent request
- a fixed text used in praying
- someone who prays to God
Word Origin
- prayer (n.)
- c. 1300, from Old French prier "prayer, petition, request" (12c., Modern French prière), from Medieval Latin precaria "petition, prayer," noun use of Latin adjective precaria, fem. of precarius "obtained by prayer, given as a favor," from precari "to ask, beg, pray" (see pray). Related: Prayers. Prayer-book attested from 1590s; prayer-meeting from 1780. To not have a prayer "have no chance" is from 1941.
Example
- 1. Apply the power of prayer therapy in your life .
- 2. Is prayer just another kind of friendly conversation ?
- 3. Countless prayer manuals from the late 15th century offered special prayers for the hours in between sleeps .
- 4. Your wish for resolution was a prayer .
- 5. Some universities seem keener on prayer than study .