pray
[ prey ]
/ preɪ /
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to make entreaty or supplication, as to a person or for a thing.
Origin of pray
1250–1300; Middle English
preien < Old French
preier ≪ Latin
precārī to beg, pray, derivative of
prex (stem
prec-) prayer; akin to Old English
fricgan, Dutch
vragen, German
fragen, Gothic
fraihnan to ask
SYNONYMS FOR pray
OTHER WORDS FROM pray
pray·ing·ly, adverb out·pray, verb (used with object) un·pray·ing, adjectiveWords nearby pray
Example sentences from the Web for pray
British Dictionary definitions for pray
pray
/ (preɪ) /
verb
(when intr, often foll by for; when tr, usually takes a clause as object)
to utter prayers (to God or other object of worship)
we prayed to God for the sick child
(when tr, usually takes a clause as object or an infinitive)
to make an earnest entreaty (to or for); beg or implore
she prayed to be allowed to go; leave, I pray you
(tr) rare
to accomplish or bring by praying
to pray a soul into the kingdom
interjection
archaic
I beg you; please
pray, leave us alone
Word Origin for pray
C13: from Old French
preier, from Latin
precārī to implore, from
prex an entreaty; related to Old English
fricgan, Old High German
frāgēn to ask, Old Norse
fregna to enquire