paternoster

UK: 'Paternoster', 'paternoster': /ˌpætəˈnɒstə/

US: (pā′tər nos′tər, pä′-, pat′ər-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pa•ter•nos•ter  (pā′tər nos′tər, pä′-, pat′ər-), n. 

1. Religion (often cap.) Also, Pa′ter Nos′ter. the Lord's Prayer, esp. in the Latin form.
2. Religion a recitation of this prayer as an act of worship.
3. Religion one of certain beads in a rosary, regularly every 11th bead, differing in size or material from the rest and indicating that the Lord's Prayer is to be said.
4. any fixed recital of words used as a prayer or magical charm.
5. Building a doorless, continuously moving elevator for passengers or goods, having numerous platforms or compartments that rise or descend on a moving chain.
6. Architecture (cap.) Archit. See pearl molding. 

• Latin pater noster our father, its first two words in the Vulgate (Matthew VI: 9
• Middle English, Old English: Lord's prayer bef. 1000

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

paternoster / ˌpætəˈnɒstə/ noun

1. the beads at the ends of each decade of the rosary marking the points at which the Paternoster is recited
2. Also called: paternoster line a type of fishing tackle in which short lines and hooks are attached at intervals to the main line
3. a type of lift in which platforms are attached to continuous chains. The lift does not stop at each floor but passengers enter while it is moving

Etymology: Latin, literally: our father (from the opening of the Lord's Prayer)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Paternoster / ˌpætəˈnɒstə/ noun (sometimes not capital)

1. the Lord's Prayer, esp in Latin
2. the recital of this as an act of devotion

Etymology: see paternoster