Hail Mary
n. pl. Hail Marys
1. Roman Catholic Church A prayer based on the greetings of Gabriel and Saint Elizabeth to the Virgin Mary. Also called Ave Maria.
2. Football A long pass thrown in desperation, especially near the end of a game.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Hail Mary
n
1. (Roman Catholic Church) RC Church Also called: Ave Maria a prayer to the Virgin Mary, based on the salutations of the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth (Luke 1:42) to her
2. (American Football) American football slang a very long high pass into the end zone, made in the final seconds of a half or of a game
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
Hail′ Mar′y
n.
1. Ave Maria.
2. Also called Hail′ Mar′y pass` (or play`). a long forward pass in football, esp. as a last-ditch attempt at the end of a game, where completion is considered unlikely.
[1300–50; Middle English, translation of Medieval Latin Ave Maria]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
Hail Mary - a salutation to the Virgin Mary now used in prayers to her