Search the Dictionary

reface (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.), a portion of the communion service, preceding the prayer of consecration, appointed for certain seasons.

ent, etc.; to offer; to present; to proffer; to address; -- said especially of a request, prayer, petition, claim, charge, etc. He spake, and to her hand preferred the bowl. Pope. Presently prefer his suit to Cæsar. Shak. Three tongues prefer strange orisons on high. Byron.

o forewarn; to admonish beforehand. [R.] Herrick. To teach, and to premonish. Bk. of Com. Prayer.

Favorably attentive; propitious. [Archaic] To find a god so present to my prayer. Dryden. Present tense (Gram.), the tense or form of a verb which expresses action or being in the present time; as, I am writing, I write, or I do write.

t of presenting, or the state of being presented; a setting forth; an offering; bestowal. Prayers are sometimes a presentation of mere desires. Hooker.

rce or influence; efficacious; persuasive. Shak. Saints shall assist thee with prevailing prayers. Rowe.

hess. iv. 15. We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us. Bk. of Common Prayer. Then had I come, preventing Sheba's queen. Prior.

A kneeling desk for prayers.

The office or character of a priest; the priestly function. Bk. of Com. Prayer.

Originally, a small prayer book for church service, containing the little office of the Virgin Mary; also, a work of elementary religious instruction. The primer, or office of the Blessed Virgin. Bp. Stillingfleet.

individual; secret; secluded; lonely; solitary; as, a private room or apartment; private prayer. Reason . . . then retires Into her private cell when nature rests. Milton.

of friendship; a profession of faith. A solemn vow, promise, and profession. Bk. of Com. Prayer.

To favor; to render successful. "Prosper thou our handiwork." Bk. of Common Prayer. All things concur toprosper our design. Dryden.

Specifically, the Book of Psalms as printed in the Book of Common Prayer; among the Roman Catholics, the part of the Breviary which contains the Psalms arranged for each day of the week.

To expiate by a fine or forfeit. [Obs.] Not tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses. Shak.

One whose distinctive office is to read prayers in a church.

t variance; as, to reconcile persons who have quarreled. Propitious now and reconciled by prayer. Dryden. The church [if defiled] is interdicted till it be reconciled [i.e., restored to sanctity] by the bishop. Chaucer. We pray you . . . be ye reconciled to God. 2 Cor. v. 20.

, in preparation for a public exhibition or exercise. Chaucer. In rehearsal of our Lord's Prayer. Hooker. Here's marvelous convenient place for our rehearsal. Shak. Dress rehearsal (Theater), a private preparatory performance of a drama, opera, etc., in costume.

To refuse to grant; as, to reject a prayer or request.

The act of asking for anything desired; expression of desire or demand; solicitation; prayer; petition; entreaty. I will marry her, sir, at your request. Shak.