paternoster

noun

pa·​ter·​nos·​ter ˌpä-tər-ˈnä-stər How to pronounce paternoster (audio)
ˈpa-tər-ˌnä-stər;
ˈpä-ˌter-ˈnä-stər,
-ˈnä-ˌster How to pronounce paternoster (audio)
1
often capitalized : lord's prayer
2
: a word formula repeated as a prayer or magical charm

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin pater noster our father, from the opening words

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paternoster was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near paternoster

paternoite

paternoster

paternoster lake

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Paternoster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternoster. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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