Chapter Potage to P. R. B of P by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Pratefast (Peter), who “in all his life spake no word in waste.” His wife was Maude, and his eldest son Sym Sadle Gander, who married Betres (daughter of Davy Dronken Nole of Kent and his wife Alyson).—Hawes: The Passe-tyme of Plesure, xxix. (1515).

Prattle (Mr.), medical practitioner, a voluble gossip, who retails all the news and scandal of the neighbourhood. He knows everybody, everybody’s affairs, and everybody’s intentions.—Colman, senior: The Deuce is in Him (1762).

Praxitelus, in Greville’s book of Maxims, is meant for lord Chatham.

Prayer. Every Mohammedan must pray five times a day—at sunset, at nightfall, at daybreak, at noon, and at Asr or evensong (about three o’clock).

Praying-Wheels. The “Praying-wheel” used by Buddhists is either a small hand cylinder or a larger one suspended to the ceiling or sides of a chapel, and pushed round by each person as he enters. Some have been observed in Thibet so arranged as to be revolved by the wind. The prayer-formula (printed in fine characters) is wound round the axis of the wheel from left to right, and when the wheel is set in motion, the writing passes in front of the person or persons pushing the wheel. It was used originally (like the Jewish Urim and Thummim) to divine answers to prayers, but afterwards for prayer itself. The hand praying-wheels are little cylinders of copper, with Om Main Palim om engraved round—containing rolls of the usual prayers. They are held in the hands and turned like a child’s rattle.

P. R. B., the signature of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.