DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Pray v. i. [imp. & p. p. Prayed p. pr. & vb. n. Praying.]  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.