Rosary
/ˈroʊzəri/noun
A string of prayer beads used in Roman Catholic devotion, or the prayers recited with them.
Did you know?The Latin source behind Rosary, *rosarium*, originally meant a rose garden or rose wreath, and the devotional beads were later seen as a symbolic garland of prayers to Mary.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
rosarium
“a rose garden; a garland or wreath of roses”
Late Latin / Medieval Church Latin
Latin
rosarium
“a devotional garland of prayers, especially prayers to the Virgin Mary”
Old French
Old French
rosarie
“a rose garden; later, a chaplet or set of prayers”
Middle English
English
rosarie
“a set of prayers said with beads”
Modern English
English
rosary
“a string of prayer beads and the prayers associated with them”