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Webster 1913 Edition
Ave Mary
{ ‖
A′ve Ma-ri′a
,A′ve Ma′ry
. }[From the first words of the Roman Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary; L.
ave
hail, Maria
Mary.] 1.
A salutation and prayer to the Virgin Mary, as mother of God; – used in the Roman Catholic church.
To number
Ave Maries
on his beads. Shakespeare
2.
A particular time (as in Italy, at the ringing of the bells about half an hour after sunset, and also at early dawn), when the people repeat the Ave Maria.
Ave Maria
! blessed be the hour ! Byron.