What is "precatory"

Precative \Prec"a*tive\, Precatory \Prec"a*to*ry\, a. [L. precativus, precatorius, fr. precari to pray. See Precarious.] Suppliant; beseeching.
--Bp. Hopkins.

Precatory words (Law), words of recommendation, request, entreaty, wish, or expectation, employed in wills, as distinguished from express directions; -- in some cases creating a trust.
--Jarman.

1630s, from Late Latin precatorius "pertaining to petitioning," from precatorem "one who prays," agent noun from precari "to pray" (see pray).

a. 1 Expressing a wish. 2 (context legal English) Expressing a wish but not creating any legal obligation or duty.

adj. expressing entreaty or supplication; "precatory overtures" [syn: precative]