prayer English · revision 5335

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=a. 1300|origins=la prex}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /preə/, US /prer/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|preiere]], [[bor|fro|preiere|alt=preiere, prier]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) from [[la-med|precaria|t=petition, prayer]], a noun use of the feminine of Latin precārius “obtained by prayer, given as a favour”,^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|precārī|t=to ask, beg, pray]] and [[m|la|prex|t=prayer]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[ine-pro|*prek-|t=to ask, entreat]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[pray]] and [[precarious]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A solemn request to God, and the practice of praying: before 1300 in the OED, about 1300 in Etymonline, where the first sense is an earnest request or entreaty.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A devout petition to God, the Lord's Prayer and the practice of praying are all from the mid-14th century,^(Etymonline) an entreaty to a person from about 1350,^(OED 1989) and a set form of words used in praying from 1389.^(OED 1989) ''Prayers'' as earnest good wishes for someone are from 1597.^(OED 1989) ''Not have a prayer'', to have no chance, is from 1941.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a. 1300 – a request to God.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1350 – an entreaty to a person.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1389 – a set form of prayer.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1941 – ''not have a prayer''.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A request or words of thanks or praise addressed to God or a god.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of praying.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A set form of words used in praying: ''the Lord's Prayer''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An earnest hope or request.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(prayers)'' A religious service of prayer.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[prayerless]]

+ * [[prayerlessly]]

+ * [[prayerlessness]]

+ * [[prayerful]]

+ * [[evening prayer]]

+ * [[house of prayer]]

+ * [[morning prayer]]

+ * [[prayer beads]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pray]]

+ * [[precarious]]

+ * [[deprecate]]

+ * [[imprecation]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Prayer, one who prays, from about 1440, is a different word, an agent noun from the verb [[pray]], pronounced as two syllables.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}