pray
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
prays;
prayed;
praying
prays;
prayed;
praying
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRAY
1
a
:
to speak to God especially in order to give thanks or to ask for something
— often + for
[no object]
-
praying to God/Allah daily
-
There's little else to do now but hope and pray.
-
The minister said, “Let us pray.”
-
We prayed (to God) for their safe return.
-
pray for forgiveness
[+ object]
-
The family prayed (to God) that she wouldn't need surgery.
-
He prayed that they would have the strength to go on.
b
:
to hope or wish very much for something to happen
[no object]
— usually + for
-
She's praying [=hoping] for a chance to play in the game.
[+ object]
-
He prayed that he would find a parking spot.
2
[+ object]
old-fashioned
:
to seriously ask (someone) to do something
— used to introduce a question or request in a polite or deliberately old-fashioned way
-
I pray [=beg] you, tell me where they went.
-
I pray you be careful. [=please be careful]
-
Pray be careful.
-
Pray [=please] tell me what to do.
-
Why should I trust them, pray tell? [=tell me why I should trust them; I do not think that they should be trusted]
