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v. prayed, pray·ing, prays v.intr. To utter or address a prayer or prayers to a deity or an object of worship, often as an entreaty: people praying in the pews of the church; people praying for divine guidance; people praying for their loved ones. v.tr. 1. To use prayer to request (that something may happen): The congregation prayed that the drought would end soon. The child prayed to be more considerate of others. 2. To say (a prayer or group of prayers): pray the rosary. 3. To make a devout or earnest request for: I pray your forgiveness. 4. To utter or say a prayer or prayers to; address by prayer: "I pray Heaven that I never may forget the dear girl" (Charles Dickens). 5. Archaic To ask (someone) imploringly for something; beseech. Used chiefly in the phrase I pray you to introduce a polite or urgent request or question: I pray you be careful. adv. Used to make a polite or urgent request or question: Pray don't apologize. [Middle English preien, from Old French preier, from Latin precārī, from precēs, pl. of *prex, prayer; see prek- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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