Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: preier, from Latin precari, from prex 'request, prayer'

pray

1 verb
     
Related topics: Religion
pray1 S3 W3 [intransitive and transitive]
1RR to speak to God in order to ask for help or give thanks [↪ prayer]:
They went to the mosque to pray.
pray for
Let us pray for peace.
pray to
Martha prayed to God for help.
pray (that)
He prayed that his sight might be restored.
2 to wish or hope very strongly that something will happen or is true
pray (that)
Paul was praying that no one had noticed his absence.
I hope and pray that this is a misunderstanding.
pray for
We're praying for good weather tomorrow.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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