First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1prayer
noun, often attributive \ˈprer\
Definition of PRAYER
1
a (1) : an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought <said a prayer for the success of the voyage> (2) : a set order of words used in praying b : an earnest request or wish
2
: the act or practice of praying to God or a god <kneeling in prayer>
3
: a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers —often used in plural
4
: something prayed for
5
: a slight chance <haven't got a prayer>
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Origin of PRAYER
Middle English, from Anglo-French priere, praiere, preiere, from Medieval Latin precaria, from Latin, feminine of precarius obtained by entreaty, from prec-, prex
Other Christian Religious Terms
Rhymes with PRAYER
air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare
2prayer
noun pray·er \ˈprā-ər, ˈprer\
Definition of PRAYER
: one that prays : supplicant
Origin of PRAYER
Middle English prayere, from prayen to pray + 2-er
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Christian Religious Terms
PRAYERS Defined for Kids
prayer
noun \ˈprer\
Definition of PRAYER for Kids
1
: words spoken to God <a prayer for peace>
2
: the act of praying to God <We knelt in prayer.>
3
: a strong hope or wish <It's our prayer that you will return safely.>
4
: a set form of words used in praying
5
: a religious service that is mostly prayers <evening prayer>
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