Orisoun

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An archaic term for a prayer, especially one spoken or sung in devotion to God or a saint
2. A devotional petition or supplication offered to a deity, as used in older English religious writing
3. Old-fashioned word meaning a prayer, typically a solemn or heartfelt appeal made in worship

Etymology: The spelling "orisoun" is the Middle English form of today's "orison," a word for a prayer. It came into English from Old French "oreison," which descends from Latin "oratio," meaning speech, discourse, or address. Medieval English speakers borrowed the word for a formal spoken address and used it mainly for prayer, so the sense of "speaking to God" narrowed from the older, broader sense of speaking in general. English also borrowed "oratio" a second time, directly from Latin, and produced "oration." The two words are doublets: one arrived through French and kept a religious flavour, the other came straight from Latin and kept the sense of a public speech.