I. prayer ˈpra(a)](ə)r, ˈpre], ]ə noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English preyere, prayere, from Old French preiere, from Medieval Latin precaria written petition, supplication, prayer, from Latin, feminine of precarius obtained by entreaty or prayer, from Latin prec-, prex request, entreaty, prayer + -arius -ary — more at pray
1.
a. : a solemn and humble approach to Divinity in word or thought usually involving beseeching, petition, confession, praise, or thanksgiving
devoted a moment to silent prayer before beginning his task
b. : an earnest request to someone for something: as
(1) : the part of a petition or memorial (as to a legislature) that specifies the thing desired
(2) : the part of a bill in equity or other pleading that specifies the relief sought
(3) : a request (as by a charge to a jury) for action by the court
(4) : a formal motion in the British Parliament to invalidate a ministerial order or regulation
c. prayers plural : earnest good wishes
whatever you decide you have my prayers
2. : the act or practice of praying : the addressing of words or thought to Divinity in petition, confession, praise, or thanksgiving
public prayer was then an accepted custom
friends and neighbors gathered in prayer for the dead
3. : a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers — often used in plural
had regular family prayers
4. : a set form of words used in praying : a formula of supplication, confession, praise, or thanksgiving addressed to God or an object of worship
a book of prayers for different occasions
5. : something prayed for : a subject of prayer
God granted their prayer
6. : a slight or minimal chance (as to succeed or survive)
a second-rate maritime power without a prayer of meeting military shipping needs — New York Times
hadn't a prayer to recover
Synonyms:
prayer , suit , plea , petition , appeal signify, in common, an earnest, usually formal, request for something. prayer implies that the request is made to one in authority or power and usually suggests humility and fervor
a very long distance between what the Department of Justice asks for in its prayer for relief and what the courts will grant in the form of a remedy — E.S.Mason
to all my tearful prayers — W.S.Gilbert
suit implies a deferential and formal petition as to a court or legislative body, although the term is not common today except in legal use or in application to the addresses of a suitor to his loved one
suits for violation of contracts are allowed against a union's funds — Philip Taft
a suit in which the college trustees sought to defend their rights against the new political forces — A.C.Cole
she returned his love, spurning the suit of … — American Guide Series: N.C
plea usually implies argument and urgent entreaty of which self-justification, a desire for vindication or support, or partisanship is often the motive
his fiancée jilted him on the plea that he cared more for the house than for her — American Guide Series: Maryland
a plea for postwar preparedness — Current Biography
a plea for international peace — Merle Curti
petition implies a formal and specific request, often in writing, presented to a person or body that has power to grant it and usually implying no humility or use of entreaty but rather the exercise of a right
students who have exceeded the maximum number of absences will have a right to petition the Committee on Attendance for reinstatement — Loyola University Bulletin
the petition must be addressed to the Commissioner of Patents … and must be signed by the inventor — General Information Concerning Patents
divorce petitions — Robert Reid
appeal implies the call for attention to and favorable consideration of one's plea, often suggesting an insistence, as in a legal appeal from an inferior to a superior court, or a plea to the emotions
the appeal of the abandoned child — Joseph Conrad
the appeal to sex — C.W.Cunnington
make an appeal from the decision of the county court
II. pray·er ˈprāə(r), -re(ə) ṙ, -reə\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English preyere, prayere, from preyen, prayen to pray + -ere -er — more at pray
: one that prays : supplicant