The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pray \Pray\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Praying.] [OE. preien, OF. preier, F. prier, L. precari, fr. prex, precis, a prayer, a request; akin to Skr. prach to ask, AS. frignan, fr[=i]nan, fricgan, G. fragen, Goth. fra['i]hnan. Cf. Deprecate, Imprecate, Precarious.] To make request with earnestness or zeal, as for something desired; to make entreaty or supplication; to offer prayer to a deity or divine being as a religious act; specifically, to address the Supreme Being with adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving.
And to his goddess pitously he preyde.
--Chaucer.
When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou
hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in
secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall
reward thee openly.
--Matt. vi. 6.
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.
Syn: To entreat; supplicate; beg; implore; invoke; beseech; petition.
Usage examples of "i pray".
There is little more I can say except that if things do not work out as you anticipate in these dreams of yours, I pray you will feel free to come to me.
All the time I am here I pray for someone to come who can work the engines.
Before the time your span is done, my principal wife, I pray your troubles will have vanished altogether from your mind.