prie-dieu

noun

(ˌ)prē-ˈdyər 

(ˌ)prē-ˈdyə,

prē-ˈdyœ

plural prie-dieux (ˌ)prē-ˈdyər(z) 

(ˌ)prē-ˈdyə(z),

prē-ˈdyœ(z)

1

: a kneeling bench designed for use by a person at prayer and fitted with a raised shelf on which the elbows or a book may be rested

2

: a low armless upholstered chair with a high straight back

Illustration of prie-dieu

• prie-dieu 1

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, pray God

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1