Chapter Praisable to Preach of P by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

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
(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.

Prayer
(Pray"er) n. One who prays; a supplicant.

Prayer
(Prayer) n. [OE. preiere, OF. preiere, F. prière, fr. L. precarius obtained by prayer, fr. precari to pray. See Pray, v. i.]

1. The act of praying, or of asking a favor; earnest request or entreaty; hence, a petition or memorial addressed to a court or a legislative body. "Their meek preyere." Chaucer

2. The act of addressing supplication to a divinity, especially to the true God; the offering of adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving to the Supreme Being; as, public prayer; secret prayer.

As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer.

Shak.

3. The form of words used in praying; a formula of supplication; an expressed petition; especially, a supplication addressed to God; as, a written or extemporaneous prayer; to repeat one's prayers.

He made those excellent prayers which were published immediately after his death.

Bp. Fell.

Prayer book, a book containing devotional prayers. — Prayer meeting, a meeting or gathering for prayer to God.

Syn. — Petition; orison; supplication; entreaty; suit.

Prayerful
(Prayer"ful) a. Given to prayer; praying much or often; devotional. "The prayerful man." J. S. Blackie. — Prayer"ful*ly, adv. — Prayer"ful*ness, n.

Prayerless
(Prayer"less) a. Not using prayer; habitually neglecting prayer to God; without prayer. "The next time you go prayerless to bed." Baxter.

— Prayer"less*ly, adv. — Prayer"less*ness, n.

Praying
(Pray"ing) a. & n. from Pray, v.