paternoster

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun (Roman Catholic Church) the Lord's Prayer in Latin; translates as `our father'
  2. noun a type of lift having a chain of open compartments that move continually in an endless loop so that (agile) passengers can step on or off at each floor

Etymology

From Middle English paternoster, pater noster, from Old English Paternoster, from Latin Pater noster (“our father”) (the first two words of the Oratio Dominica (“the Lord's prayer”)), from pater (“father”) + noster (“our”). The lift and the fishing equipment are named from their resemblance to a rosary.

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