pray
To direct words, thoughts, or one's attention to a deity or any higher being, for the sake of adoration, thanks, petition for help, etc.
Verb 3 meanings
To direct words, thoughts, or one's attention to a deity or any higher being, for the sake of adoration, thanks, petition for help, etc.
“Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca.”
To humbly beg a person for aid or their time.
To wish or hope strongly for a particular outcome.
“She is praying that the Red Sox will win tonight.”
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English preien, borrowed from Anglo-Norman preier, from Old French proiier, from Late Latin precāre, from Latin precārī, from prex (“request, petition, prayer”), from Proto-Italic *preks, from Proto-Indo-European *preḱ- (“to request, ask”). Displaced native Old English gebiddan.
PRAY at a glance
PRAY has 4 letters and scores 9 points in Scrabble (P 3 + R 1 + A 1 + Y 4) and 9 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #3,578 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
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