prayer

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of communicating with a deity, especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving

   The faithful sank to their knees in prayer.

2. 2
   noun

   A practice of communicating with one's God, or with some spiritual entity.

   Through prayer I ask for God's guidance.

3. 3
   noun

   An act of praying.

   Then everybody once more knelt, and soon the blessing was pronounced. The choir and the clergy trooped out slowly, […], down the nave to the western door. […] At a seemingly immense distance the surpliced group stopped to say the last prayer.

4. 4
   noun

   The specific words or methods used for praying.

   Christians recite the Lord's Prayer.

5. 5
   noun

   A meeting held for the express purpose of praying.

   Grandpa never misses a chance to go to prayer.

6. 6
   noun

   A request; a petition.

   This, your honor, is my prayer; that all here be set free.

7. 7
   noun

   The remotest hope or chance.

   That team doesn't have a prayer of winning the championship.

8. 8
   noun

   One who prays.

   If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar / A hope-er^([sic]), a pray-er^([sic]), a magic bean buyer…

Etymology

From Middle English preiere, from Old French preiere, from Early Medieval Latin precāria, derived from Latin precem. Displaced native Old English ġebed (whence modern English bead).