Pray , v. t. 1. To
address earnest request to; to supplicate; to entreat; to implore; to beseech.
And as this earl was
preyed, so did he.
Chaucer. We pray you . . . by ye
reconciled to God.
2 Cor. v. 20.
2. To ask
earnestly for; to seek to obtain by supplication; to entreat for.
I know not how to pray your patience.
Shak.
3. To effect or accomplish by praying; as, to pray a
soul out of
purgatory. Milman.
To pray in aid. (Law) (a) To call in as a helper one
who has an interest in the cause. Bacon. (b)
A phrase often used to signify claiming the benefit of an
argument. See under Aid. Mozley &
W.
Pray (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prayed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Praying.]
[OE. preien, OF. preier, F. prier, L. precari, fr.
prex, precis, a prayer, a request; akin to Skr. prach to ask, AS. frignan,
frīnan, fricgan, G. fragen, Goth. fraíhnan. Cf. Deprecate, Imprecate, Precarious.] To make request with earnestness or zeal, as for something desired; to make entreaty or supplication; to offer prayer to a deity or divine being as a religious act; specifically, to address the Supreme Being with adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving.
And to his goddess pitously he
preyde.
Chaucer. When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou
hast shut thy door, pray to thy
Father which is in secret;
and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matt.
vi. 6. I pray,
or (by ellipsis) Pray, I beg; I request; I entreat you; -- used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go.
I pray, sir. why am I beaten?
Shak. Syn. -- To entreat; supplicate; beg; implore; invoke; beseech; petition.
Pray (?), n. & v. See Pry. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Hear it pronounced