Pronunciation: [hˈe͡ɪl mˈe͡əɹi] (IPA) 
The word "Hail Mary" is often used in Catholic tradition to refer to a specific prayer. It is spelled with three syllables: /heɪl/ /mɛri/. The first syllable, "hail," is pronounced like the word for frozen rain, with the "ai" sound. The second syllable, "Mary," is pronounced with the "e" sound, as in "berry." The word "Hail Mary" is commonly used in the rosary, a series of prayers offered by Catholics to the Virgin Mary.
The term "Hail Mary" is a noun phrase derived from Catholicism and primarily used in religious contexts. It refers to a popular prayer in the Catholic tradition known as the "Hail Mary" or "Ave Maria," which is recited to honor and seek the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The prayer begins with the words "Hail Mary" and includes verses from the New Testament.
Apart from its religious connotations, "Hail Mary" has also gained wider applications in different fields. In sports, specifically American football, it refers to a desperate, high-risk play executed when time is running out and the outcome of the game hangs in the balance. This play involves a quarterback throwing a long and high pass, often to a single receiver, in hopes of completing a seemingly impossible touchdown. It is characterized by its low success rate but has occasionally resulted in game-changing or game-winning plays.
Moreover, outside of football, "Hail Mary" has been metaphorically adapted to signify any last-ditch effort, undertaking, or endeavor where success seems improbable. It refers to an all-or-nothing attempt made in desperation, often with little hope or expectation of achieving the desired outcome.
Overall, "Hail Mary" primarily serves as a term for both a Catholic prayer honoring the Virgin Mary and a high-risk, do-or-die maneuver used in sports or general contexts. Its associations with faith, hope, and improbable victories make it a concept widely recognized and understood beyond its original religious framework.
The word "Hail Mary" has its origins in the Christian tradition, specifically in the Catholic Church. It comes from the Latin phrase "Ave Maria", which means "Hail Mary" in English.
The phrase itself derives from the opening words of the Ave Maria prayer, which is a traditional Catholic prayer that focuses on the Virgin Mary. The prayer begins with the words "Hail Mary", which refer to the angel Gabriel's salutation to Mary in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:28). In this biblical account, the angel greets Mary with the words "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee".
Over time, the phrase "Hail Mary" became particularly associated with the prayer and began to be used as a term for the prayer itself. The prayer is also known as the Angelic Salutation or the Ave, and it has been an essential part of Catholic devotion for centuries.
