ABSTRACT
From the Old Norse “bœn,” Old English “ben,” related to German “beten,” the lexical meaning of the Danish term includes both religious and non-religious usages. Non-religious usages highlight especially the “request” character of interpersonal address. One asks for something of another by means of a prayer. Religious usage includes such requests directed to God, but also can denote the linguistic element of contemplation and an experience of intense reverence or awe.1
