pray

Formsprays, praying, prayed

1. 1
   talk to Godverbintransitive

   To speak to God or a higher power to give thanks or ask for help.

   Like talking quietly to someone you trust, even when you cannot see them.

   She likes to pray before going to sleep each night.

   They prayed together at the small church on Sunday.

   UsageSay pray to God and pray for help.

2. 2
   hope stronglyverbtransitive or intransitive

   To hope very strongly that something good will happen.

   Like wishing hard on a birthday candle that something good comes true.

   I'm not religious, but I pray the bus shows up on time.

   He kicked the ball and prayed it would go in.

   UsageSay I pray it works.

   Similarhope, wish

3. 3
   adverbarchaicformal

   An old-fashioned word meaning please, used to make a request or question more polite or earnest.

   Like saying "please," but in the way people spoke long ago.

   Pray come in and warm yourself by the fire.

   Well, Major, pray tell us your adventures, for you have frightened us dreadfully.

   1845, Frederick Marryat, The MissionHere, pray means please, a polite way to ask.

   UsagePut it first: pray come in.

   Note
4. 4
   verb

   In old use, to seriously beg someone for something. In law today, to formally ask a court to decide or give something.

   I humbly pray to the Honorable Court for the order for the removal of the publication which contains fake news to be granted.

   2021, Yang di-Pertuan Agong, “Schedule”Here, pray means to formally ask a court for something.

   In time of drought the Abchases of the Caucasus sacrifice an ox to Ap-hi, the god of thunder and lightning, and an old man prays him to send rain, thunder, and lightning, telling him that the crops are parched.

   1890, James George Frazer, The Golden BoughHere, prays means asks or begs earnestly for something.

   Note

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