rosary
UK: ˈrəʊzəri | US: ˈroʊzəri
n. a string of beads used for counting prayers in Christianity
n. a series of prayers recited in a specific order
n. (historical) a rose garden or garland
The word "rosary" originates from the Latin "rosarium," meaning "rose garden" or "garland of roses." In medieval times, it metaphorically represented a spiritual "garden" of prayers, with each bead symbolizing a rose offered to the Virgin Mary. The morpheme "ros" preserves the Latin root for "rose," while "-ary" denotes association (e.g., "library" from "liber" [book]). Over time, the term shifted from literal floral garlands to its modern religious context.
She clutched her rosary tightly during the evening prayer.
The rosary consists of five decades of Hail Marys.
Medieval monks compared repetitive prayers to weaving a rosary of devotion.
A vintage rosary was displayed in the church’s glass case.
The word "rosary" reflects the beauty and ritual of its spiritual purpose.