paternoster Meaning, Definition & Usage

  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

WordNet

Pa"ter*nos`ter noun
Etymology
L., Our Father.
Definitions
  1. The Lord's prayer, so called from the first two words of the Latin version.
  2. (Arch.) A beadlike ornament in moldings.
  3. (Angling) A line with a row of hooks and beadshaped sinkers.

Webster 1913