pray
/preɪ/
verb
Origin
Latin
precari — to entreat, beseech, or beg
Overview
Meaning Now
- To address a solemn request or expression of thanks to a deity or object of worship.
- To make an earnest request or plea to someone.
- Used in a polite or formal way to introduce a question or request (archaic/formal).
Literal older meaning
To ask or entreat
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English
Earliest form
præien
Earliest period
Middle English
Journey
The word carries a heavy religious weight in Western history due to its direct lineage from the Latin 'precari', which underpinned Christian liturgical practices in Europe.
Evolution
- Latin
precari
“to implore or beseech”
The root of the religious and supplicatory sense.
- Old French
preier
“to pray”
Transition from Latin to Romance languages.
- Middle English
præien
“to pray, to beseech”
Entered English via Anglo-Norman influence.
Connections
Word parts
pray
root
to ask or entreat
Related across languages
French
prier
to pray
Italian
pregare
to pray
Spanish
pregar
to preach or pray
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.