different between devout vs prayerful

English

Etymology

From Middle English devout, devot, from Old French devot (French dévot), from Latin d?v?tus, perfect passive participle of d?v?ve?. Doublet of devote.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d??va?t/
• (Canada) IPA^(key): /d??v??t/
• Rhymes: -a?t

Adjective

devout (comparative devouter or more devout, superlative devoutest or most devout)

1. Devoted to religion or to religious feelings and duties; pious; extremely religious.
   • a. 1729, John Rogers, The Difficulties of Obtaining Salvation

     We must be constant and devout in the worship of our God.

2. (archaic) Expressing devotion or piety.

3. Warmly devoted; hearty; sincere; earnest.

Translations

Noun

devout (plural devouts)

1. (obsolete) A devotee.
2. (obsolete) A devotional composition, or part of a composition; devotion.

References

• devout in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

Middle English

Alternative forms

• devouth, devot, devote, devolte

Etymology

From Old French devot, devout, from Latin d?v?tus (“vowed, promised”).

Adjective

devout

1. devout
2. sacred, holy

Descendants

• English: devout
• Scots: devot, devote, devoit

References

• “d?v?ut, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

English

Etymology

From prayer +? -ful.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?p???f?l/

Adjective

prayerful (comparative more prayerful, superlative most prayerful)

1. That prays frequently; characterised by prayer, devout, reverent. [from 17th c.]
   • 2009, Diarmaid MacCulloch, A History of Christianity, Penguin 2010, p. 207:

     His extrovert craziness is an interesting counterpoint or safety valve to the ethos of prayerful silence and traditional solemnity which is so much part of Orthodox identity.

Translations