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.