Pray
/preɪ/noun
To speak to a deity in order to express thanks or ask for something.
Did you know?The word 'pray' shares its origin with terms related to 'entreaty', invoking the ancient practice of pleading with the divine for favor or intervention.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*prē̆-
“to ask, entreat, or invoke.”
Latin
Latin
precari
“to ask earnestly, to beg or entreat.”
Old French
Old French
preier
“to pray, to beseech.”
Middle English
Middle English
preyen
“to ask or beseech fervently.”
Modern English
English
pray
“to address a deity with earnest requests or thanks.”