【析形】形声字。古文字形从示,寿声。从示,表示与祭祀有关。 【释义】《说文》:“告事求福也。”本义是向神祝告祈求福寿。引申为表一般的祝愿、盼望。书信中用作敬辞,表示期望和请求。[祈祷]向神祝告求福,后指信仰宗教的人向天地神佛祷告,祈福免灾。含有赞美、感谢、告白、请求等意。[祷告]宗教徒向神求保佑;做祷告。 【shape analysis】It is the pictophonetic character. In ancient character it is related to示(shì,offer sacrifices)and sounds like the pronunciation of寿(shòu).示means it has something to do with offering sacrifices. 【original meaning】 Praying to god for blessings.