noun

paternoster

PAH-ter-naw-ster

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Paternoster (noun) means the Lord's Prayer, especially in a Roman Catholic setting. Example: “The children learned to recite the paternoster at school.”

noun

The Lord's Prayer, especially in a Roman Catholic setting.

"The children learned to recite the paternoster at school."

"She whispered a paternoster before the service began."

"The congregation said the paternoster together."

A slow elevator made of a continuous loop of open cabins that never stops moving.

"Visitors have to step on and off the paternoster while it keeps moving."

"The old office building still has a working paternoster."

"Riding the paternoster for the first time felt a little alarming."

technical A fishing rig with a heavy weight at the bottom and hooks attached on short lines above it.

"He tied a paternoster rig to fish for cod from the pier."

"A paternoster lets you offer several baits at different depths."

"The angler baited each hook on his paternoster with a worm."

How to use paternoster

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA word for the Lord's Prayer, a loop-style elevator, or a multi-hook fishing rig.

When to use it

The prayer sense is formal and religious, while the elevator and fishing senses are specialist terms.

Memory tip

Context tells you which meaning is intended, so look for words about prayer, buildings, or fishing.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

paternoster lift paternoster rig say a paternoster ride the paternoster

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Can you complete this real example?

The children learned to recite the _____ at school.

Etymology

The word came from Latin Pater noster, meaning our father, via Old English into Middle English. Those are the opening words of the Lord's Prayer. The elevator and the fishing rig are named for their resemblance to a rosary.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for paternoster

foster roster poster rooster booster Wooster imposter

See all rhymes for paternoster →

Frequently asked questions

What is a paternoster?

It can mean the Lord's Prayer, a continuously moving loop elevator, or a type of fishing rig.

What does paternoster mean in Latin?

It comes from the Latin Pater noster, which means our father.

Why is a paternoster elevator called that?

It is named for its resemblance to a rosary, since the cabins form a continuous loop like beads.

What is the meaning of paternoster?

"paternoster" (noun) means the Lord's Prayer, especially in a Roman Catholic setting.