pray

Definitions

1. 1.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.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.2. To ask earnestly for; to seek to obtain by supplication; to entreat for. I know not how to pray your patience. Shak.
4. 4.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.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "pray" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is pray.

• What is 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 called?
• What is 2. To ask earnestly for; to seek to obtain by supplication; to entreat for. I know not how to pray your patience. Shak called?