pray definition - Dictionary

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Prayer over the Gifts

prayer rug

prayer shawl

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pray

pray [ pray ]

verb (past and past participle prayed, present participle pray·ing, 3rd person present singular prays)

Definition:

1. transitive and intransitive verb religion speak to God: to speak to God, a deity, or a saint, e.g. in order to give thanks, express regret, or ask for help

2. transitive and intransitive verb hope strongly: to hope strongly for something

I'm just praying that it won't rain on Saturday.

3. transitive and intransitive verb address earnest request to somebody: to ask somebody for something, especially earnestly or with passion

He prayed to be allowed to go back home to his family.

4. transitive verb attempt to get something achieved: to attempt to achieve something by prayer or by wishing very hard

The villagers tried to pray the drought away.

interjection

Definition:

emphasizing question or command: used to emphasize a question or a command, either politely or sarcastically ( dated or humorous )

And what, pray, do you think you're doing?

[13th century. Via Old French preier< Latin precari "entreat" < prec- "prayer"]

Spelling Note


	pray or prey? Do not confuse the spelling of pray and prey, which sound similar. The verb pray means "say a prayer" or "make an earnest request," as in pray for rain. The verb prey, always used with on or upon, means "hunt and kill," "exploit," or "cause anxiety or distress to," as in birds that prey on small mammals, preying on the more vulnerable members of society, preying on my mind. Prey is also a noun denoting a hunted animal or a victim, as in lions devouring their prey, a bird of prey, be prey to panic attacks.