GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Found 3 definitions
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Pray (?), n. & v. See Pry. [Obs.] Spenser.
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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.
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And to his goddess pitously he preyde. Chaucer.
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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.
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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”.
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I pray, sir. why am I beaten? Shak.
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Syn. -- To entreat; supplicate; beg; implore; invoke; beseech; petition.
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Pray, v. t.
1. To address earnest request to; to supplicate; to entreat; to implore; to beseech.
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And as this earl was preyed, so did he. Chaucer.
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We pray you . . . by ye reconciled to God. 2 Cor. v. 20.
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2. To ask earnestly for; to seek to obtain by supplication; to entreat for.
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I know not how to pray your patience. Shak.
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3. To effect or accomplish by praying; as, “to pray a soul out of purgatory”. Milman.
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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.
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