ave maria
NounWordNet 3.0
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Ave Maria \A"ve Ma*ri"a\, Ave Mary \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. [1913 Webster]
To number Ave Maries on his beads.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Ave Maria ! blessed be the hour !— Byron.[1913 Webster]