Main Entry:

¹prayer

Pronunciation:

\ˈprer\

Function:

noun

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French priere, praiere, preiere, from Medieval Latin precaria, from Latin, feminine of precarius obtained by entreaty, from prec-, prex

Date:

14th century

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 wish2: 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 plural4: something prayed for5: a slight chance <haven't got a prayer>