ˈprā verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English preyen, prayen, from Old French preier, from Latin precari, from prec-, prex request, entreaty, prayer; akin to Old English ge frǣge hearsay, report, fricgan, frignan, frīnan to ask, inquire, Old High German frāga question, frāgēn to ask, Old Norse frētt question, fregna to inquire, find out, Gothic fraihman to find out by inquiry, Tocharian A prak- to ask, Sanskrit prās interrogation, prcchati he asks
transitive verb
1. : entreat , implore : as
a. : to make supplication to (a god)
b.
(1) : to ask (someone) to do something usually humbly or as an inferior to a superior : crave
prayed the king to give them land
— often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea
pray tell me the time
pray let us hurry
— compare please
(2) : to ask earnestly for (something) : supplicate for : beg
I know not how to pray your patience — Shakespeare
c. : to ask (someone) for or on behalf of another
we pray you … be ye reconciled to God — 2 Cor 5:20 (Authorized Version)
2. obsolete : to ask or entreat to come : invite
3.
a. : to accomplish, put, or bring, by praying
pray a soul out of purgatory
b. : to overcome (someone) by prayer — used with down or out
he prayed down his rival
intransitive verb
: to make request with earnestness or zeal especially for something desired : make entreaty or supplication : offer prayer to a divine being ; specifically : to address a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving
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- pray in aid
- pray over