I. ˌMary, ˌMary, ˌQuite Conˈtrary BrE AmE
a ↑ nursery rhyme (=an old song or poem for young children) : Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells, And pretty maids all in a row.
II. Ma ‧ ry 1 /ˈme ə ri/ BrE AmE ( also the Virgin Mary, Our Lady )
in the Christian religion, the mother of Jesus Christ, and the most important of all the ↑ saint s . She was the wife of Joseph, but Christians believe she was a ↑ virgin (=someone who has never had sex) , because the father of Jesus is not a human being, but God. Christians, especially Roman Catholics, often pray to her to ask for help.
III. Mary 2 BrE AmE
in the New Testament of the Bible, a woman who lived with her sister, Martha. When Jesus visited them, Mary remained to listen to what he was saying while Martha went and prepared food for him and his ↑ disciple s . As a result Mary often represents the type of Christian who spends their life thinking deeply about religious matters. ⇨ compare ↑ Martha