paternoster

views updated May 21 2018

paternoster (in the Roman Catholic Church) the Lord's Prayer, especially in Latin. Also, any of a number of special beads occurring at regular intervals in a rosary, indicating that the Lord's Prayer is to be recited. The name comes from Latin ‘Pater noster [our Father]’, the first two words of the prayer in Latin.
Paternoster Row a street in London near St Paul's, traditionally the site of booksellers and publishers.

See also no penny, no paternoster.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

paternoster

views updated Jun 27 2018

paternoster.
1. Row of bead-like ornaments on astragals, etc.

2. Passenger-lift composed of platforms in series fixed to a continuous loop of chains and constantly in motion.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

paternoster

views updated Jun 11 2018

paternoster the Lord's Prayer OE.; rosary, or a bead of this XIII; form of words used as a charm XIV. — L. pater noster our Father, the first words of the Lord's Prayer in Latin.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD