praying

pray

 (prā)

v. prayed, pray·ing, prays

v.intr.

To utter or address a prayer or prayers to a deity or an object of worship, often as an entreaty: people praying in the pews of the church; people praying for divine guidance; people praying for their loved ones.

v.tr.

1. To use prayer to request (that something may happen): The congregation prayed that the drought would end soon. The child prayed to be more considerate of others.

2. To say (a prayer or group of prayers): pray the rosary.

3. To make a devout or earnest request for: I pray your forgiveness.

4. To utter or say a prayer or prayers to; address by prayer: "I pray Heaven that I never may forget the dear girl" (Charles Dickens).

5. Archaic To ask (someone) imploringly for something; beseech. Used chiefly in the phrase I pray you to introduce a polite or urgent request or question: I pray you be careful.

adv.

Used to make a polite or urgent request or question: Pray don't apologize.

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[Middle English preien, from Old French preier, from Latin precārī, from precēs, pl. of *prex, prayer; see prek- in Indo-European roots.]

praying

(ˈpreɪɪŋ)

adj

(Ecclesiastical Terms) uttering prayers (to God or other object of worship)

Translations

praying

[ˈpreɪɪŋ] n → preghiere fpl