paternoster noun.
[patǝ'nɒstǝ, pɑ:t-] OE.[Latin pater noster lit. 'our father', the first two words of the Lord's Prayer in Latin.]1. The Lord's Prayer, esp. in the Latin version.
OE.b. A repetition or recital of this as an act of worship.
ME.c. transf. A form of words repeated as or like a prayer, imprecation, or charm. Also, a nonsensical or tedious recital.
LME.devil's paternoster a muttered imprecation, esp. to oneself.
2. Any of several special beads occurring at regular intervals in a rosary to indicate that a paternoster is to be said. Also, the whole rosary.
ME.3. =
paternoster line below.
M19.4. A lift consisting of a series of doorless compartments moving continuously on an endless belt. Also more fully
paternoster elevator,
paternoster lift.
E20.
Comb.:
paternoster elevator: see sense 4 above;
paternoster lake Physical Geography each of a line of lakes in a glaciated valley;
paternoster lift: see sense 4 above;
paternoster line a fishing-line to which hooks or weights are attached at intervals;
paternoster-while a length of time sufficient to say a paternoster.
[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲