prayn.1
/preɪ/, U.S. /preɪ/ Now English regional (south-western).
A wooden pin, spec. one used in thatching.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > [noun] > thatching equipment > pin for fastening down thatch
prayeOE
strabrod1335
broachc1440
thack-broach1573
thatch-prick1688
thack-prick1828
scollop1829
spit1833
stob1837
thack-nail1846
thack-peg1846
thack-pin1846
thatching-stake1879
thatch-hook1886
thatch-peg1897
eOE Latin-Old Eng. Gloss. (Karlsruhe Aug. 135 (54)) in H. D. Meritt Old Eng. Glosses (1945) 45/2 Sudes : pregas.
1294 in P. D. A. Harvey Manorial Rec. Cuxham (1976) 234 Item in prehys emptis ad idem j d. ob.
1348 in P. D. A. Harvey Manorial Rec. Cuxham (1976) 433 In virgis emptis pro prayes iiijd.
1570 Stanford Churchwardens' Accts. in Antiquary (1888) 17 170 It. for hame to thatche the churche howse, v.s. iiij d. It. For prays for ye same worke..vd.
1611 R. Loder Farm Accts. (1936) 16 Charges for thatcher... Item the value for prayes layd out was [etc.].
1890 J. D. Robertson Gloss. Words County of Gloucester Prays, the wooden pins used in thatching.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
prayn.2
/preɪ/, U.S. /preɪ/ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > prayer > [noun] > a prayer
boonc1175
orisona1225
prayerc1300
prayc1330
petition?a1400
orationc1440
supplicationc1443
oratioa1586
vote1619
society > faith > worship > prayer > [noun] > formula
prayc1330
prayera1382
society > faith > worship > prayer > [noun] > action of or offering of
bidding of prayersc1175
orison?c1250
bidding1297
prayerc1300
beads biddinga1325
sacrificec1595
presentation1597
pray1654
davening1947
c1330 (?c1300) Speculum Guy (Auch.) (1898) 68 (MED) Alquin..seide, ‘His preie i wole do.’
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 304 (MED) Confused, þei went away..þei failed of þer pray.
c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 391 (MED) We schule not tarie so long in preie wherby oure oportunytees to wirche and performe vertuose werkis..schulde passe vs.
1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) xxi. xii. sig. eev There they layed his corps in the body of the quere, & sange & redde many saulters & prayes ouer hym and aboute hym.
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot ii. v. 54 Father, we are for fighting, not for pray.
2. A session of praying.
ΚΠ
1959 J. Berryman 77 Dream Songs 35 Henry Hankovitch, con guítar, did a short Zen pray.
1986 P. McCutcheon Executioners vi. 68 They had had quite a long pray and..would attract attention if only from a prowling priest.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
prayv.
/preɪ/, U.S. /preɪ/ 1.
a. intransitive. With for. To offer a prayer on behalf of. Also: to make an earnest or formal petition; esp. to ask God or a god for something, to request in prayer. In later use also in weakened sense: to wish for fervently, to hope.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > make a request [verb (intransitive)] > beseech or implore
beseech?c1225
praya1250
plead1340
pursuec1390
implore?a1513
perplead1581
entreat1593
beg1598
oratec1600
contest1607
deprecate1626
imprecatea1645
obtest1650
prig1700
special-plead1814
plea1868
the mind > language > speech > request > make a request [verb (intransitive)] > make or present a petition
to put (up) a billa1387
procurea1500
move1638
pray1754
memorial1764
a1250 Wohunge ure Lauerd in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 287 (MED) Prei for me, mi leue suster.
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 2283 (MED) For hir þo praiden þai.
a1450 St. Edith (Faust.) (1883) 2176 (MED) Seynt Wultrude..preyȝede for hurre continuallyche both nyȝt & day.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 26 Þei prey for plentey and pees.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiii I beseche all them..that shall profet by this worke to pray for me wretche.
1596 J. Norden Progr. Pietie f. 52v An establishment of concord amongst our selues [is] to be sought and hartily prayed for.
1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew iii. sig. G4 That will duly and truly prea for yee.
1715 D. Defoe Family Instructor I. ii. i. 196 At Church there are Bills sent in, for the Minister to pray for Folks.
1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scotl. I. i. ii. 21 The grounds upon which a party may pray for letters of advocation.
1820 J. Keats Isabella in Lamia & Other Poems 52 He inwardly did pray For power to speak; but still the ruddy tide Stifled his voice.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 73 A legislator..will pray for favourable conditions under which he may exercise his art.
1932 E. R. Cooper Mardles from Suffolk ii. 27 On one occasion he was badly had by one of his ‘meetiner’ friends, and was moved to pray for him publicly the following Sunday.
1994 I. Welsh Acid House 209 I pray for a bad road-traffic accident for Simmy.
b. intransitive. To offer a prayer; to engage in prayer; to make an earnest petition or entreaty to God or a god.
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society > faith > worship > prayer > pray [verb (intransitive)]
i-bid971
bidc1175
ure?c1225
prayc1300
to bid a beada1325
to say one's beadsa1325
tellc1450
to tell or count one's beads1641
society > leisure > social event > hospitality > invitation > invite [verb (transitive)]
bidc1200
prayc1300
desirec1325
invite1553
convite1568
indite1599
encourage1728
book1840
to ask back1844
c1300 Body & Soul (Laud Misc. 108) (1889) 55 (MED) Nouȝ is to late For to preiȝe and to preche.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) 19042 Arli þa postlis ilke dai Wente to þe tempil for to praie.
c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 227 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 35 Besyd it to morne ȝe se may twa men stannand besyd it prayand.
a1500 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Trin. Dublin) 1477 Ilke freke & euery faunt to fast & to pray.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 169 At Galdies sepulchre he prayes eftir the consuetude.
1642 J. Milton Apol. Smectymnuus 47 Nor is it easily credible, that he who can preach well, should be unable to pray well.
1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses I. 356 He would preach and pray extempore..insomuch that many were pleased to say he was troubled with the Divinity squirt.
1731 G. Jeffreys Merope i. i. 2 Are we sunk so womanishly low, That we can only mourn, and rail, and pray?
1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere vii, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 50 He prayeth well who loveth well, Both man and bird and beast.
1846 J. Hamilton Mt. Olives iv. 105 The Goliath of English literature felt that he had studied successfully when he had prayed earnestly.
1882 J. Parker Apostolic Life I. 83 To pray is to redeem any day from common-place.
1940 W. Temple Thoughts in War-time vii. 43 If we pray as Christ taught us to pray, we pray in perfect unity on both sides of the battle-front.
1990 N. Payne Grenadian Childhood 141 And maybe I would get the spirit like the Pentecostal people do when they prayed.
c. intransitive. With to and †til. To offer a prayer to; to make an earnest entreaty or supplication to; to worship through prayer.
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a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 1168 (MED) Ful pitousli þan preiede he to þe prince of heuene.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 17/210 (MED) When ȝe prayyn to ȝour God, ȝe spekyn with Hym in spyrit.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xv. 1 The voice of crist in his manhed, prayand til the fadere.
1592 S. Daniel Tears xi, in Delia Yet will I weepe, vowe, pray to cruell Shee.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxxi. 191 The People that Prayed to them [sc. images].
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. v. ii. 270 Shall we believe a God, and not pray to him for future Benefits?
1776 W. J. Mickle in tr. L. de Camoens Lusiad Introd. p. cxxviii This last unblushing falsity, that Gama prays to Christ.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci v. iv. 99 A wreck-devoted seaman thus might pray To the deaf sea.
1877 H. James American xxiii. 412 They get up on winter nights and go off into cold places to pray to the Virgin Mary.
1918 Trans. Sc. Ecclesiol. Soc. 5 230 If a Khasian is in distress of any kind, he prays to some deceased ancestor.
1997 J. Ryan Dismantling Mr. Doyle xi. 161 She had prayed to him on and off in the preceding months but her prayers had gone unanswered.
d. intransitive. In the formal ending of a petition to the sovereign, Parliament, etc.: to offer prayers to God for the person or institution petitioned. The words after ‘pray’ were at length reduced to ‘etc.’, which is now also usually omitted.
ΚΠ
1429 Rolls of Parl. IV. 346/2 We shull preye to God for you.
1474 Rolls of Parl. VI. 109/2 Youre seid Suppliaunt shall ever pray to God for the preservation of youre moost Roiall astate.
a1603 in Cal. Proc. Chancery Queen Elizabeth (1827) I. p. clxvii And the said John Hunt accordinge to his bounden dutie shall daily praie unto God for your majesties long & prosperous raigne over us your heighnes subjectis.
1727 in J. Quincy Hist. Harvard Univ. (1840) I. 565 Your Honors' most humble orators shall ever pray for the prosperity and happiness of this government.
1896 W. P. Baildon Sel. Cases Chancery (Selden Soc.) Introd. xxv The familiar expression ‘and your petitioner[s] shall ever pray, &c.’, in its various forms, came in about the middle of the fifteenth century.
1991 Hansard Commons 17 Dec. 246 And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
e. intransitive. Christian Church. to pray through: (in certain, esp. Pentecostal, movements or sects) to achieve a specific outcome (such as salvation, deliverance, or the baptism of the Holy Spirit) by sustained prayer; to proceed to a specified outcome by prayer.
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1901 Chicago Tribune 8 May ii. 9/5 A large number of ‘seekers’ came to the altar at the close of the service and many of them ‘prayed through’.
1929 K. E. Helm Lure Divine Love (ed. 2) xxii. 171 Afterwards they would pray through to deliverance, acknowledge it, and thank him.
1938 J. Stuart Beyond Dark Hills 242 If you'd been there when I prayed through..You'd been a-praying and a-shouting too.
1969 Jrnl. for Sci. Study of Relig. 8 221/2 A candidate may be instructed to ‘repeat after me’ and copy the glossolalic utterances of the person who is helping him ‘pray through’ to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
1997 G. S. Warren Ev'ry Time I feel Spirit ii. 175 She sensed the need to ‘pray through’ for the service; in other words, to pray until they felt sure they had been heard by God and had heard from Him in return.
2. To ask (a person) earnestly for something, to beseech; to make devout supplication to (God, a god, or other object of worship); to worship through prayer.† a. transitive. With personal object only. Obsolete.† d. transitive. With double object. To beseech (a person) for (something). Cf. ask v. 3. Obsolete. rare.
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c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) 200 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 112 He..preide is fader wel ȝerne.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John xiv. 16 I schal preie the fadir, and he schal ȝyue to ȝou another coumfortour.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 73 (MED) Affricanus, þe writer of stories, was i-prayed [L. attractus] and wente to Alexandria.
a1500 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Hunterian) (1976) i. 195 (MED) He schulde gon into his chambre and schettyn þe dore to hym and so preyyn þe fadyr of heuene.
1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 38 And than come furth, his Father kynde, And prayit him rycht feruentlie.
1611 Bible (King James) John iv. 31 In the meane while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eate. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 1060 How much more, if we pray him, will his ear Be open, and his heart to pitie incline. View more context for this quotation
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto I lxxvi. 41 That night the Virgin was no further pray'd.
1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xxviii. 274 The parents..are getting ready their daughter for sale..praying her and imploring her, and dramming her and coaxing her.
b. transitive. To ask earnestly, beseech (God, a person, etc.) to do something, or that something may be done. Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > beseech or implore
beseechc1175
ofsechec1300
praya1350
praya1387
supply?c1400
treatc1450
entreatc1475
solicitate1563
bepray1598
exore1598
exorate1599
implorea1616
deprecate1624
beg1675
implead1682
fleech1718
impetrate1881
a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 52 Y preye þe þou here my bene.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. 2590 Preiende Achab,..To hiere him speke.
a1450 St. Katherine (Richardson 44) (1884) 41 Þey alle prayde þe preciouse virgyn þat þay myght be baptized.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) iii. 74 That we praye god that he wyll helpe vs to be auenged of the foure sones of Aymon.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 15 She wepte..praynge hem to abyde a while.
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. E The poore foole praies her that he may depart. View more context for this quotation
1637 Privy Council Reg. in S. Gardiner Documents Proc. against W. Prynne (1877) 66 Mr. Atturney Generall shal bee hereby prayed and required..to proceed in examinacion..of the Warden of the Fleet and his deputy.
1787 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) I. 263 Praying their Lordships to relieve him from the expenses and issue of a law-suit.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 81 They were sent to pray him not to show himself obstinately bent on thwarting her wish.
1897 B. Stoker Dracula xxvi. 371 I pray Him, with all the strength of my sad and humble soul, that He will watch over my beloved husband.
1955 Times 29 July 11/1 The House of Commons passed a resolution in March praying the Queen to give directions that a monument be erected to Lord Lloyd-George.
1987 F. Mort Dangerous Sexualities (BNC) 155 She..prayed God to make you a good child.
c. transitive. To ask earnestly, beseech (God, a person, etc.) for (or †of) something desired; to offer a prayer to (God or a god) for the well-being, salvation, etc., of someone. Now chiefly archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)]
yearnOE
bid971
seek971
askOE
beseechc1175
banc1275
yerec1275
cravec1300
desirec1330
impetrec1374
praya1382
nurnc1400
pleadc1400
require1400
fraynec1430
proke1440
requisitea1475
wishc1515
supply1546
request1549
implore?c1550
to speak for ——1560
entreat1565
impetratec1565
obtest?1577
solicit1595
invoke1617
mendicate1618
petition1621
imprecate1636
conjurea1704
speer1724
canvass1768
kick1792
I will thank you to do so-and-so1813
quest1897
to hit a person up for1917
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1965) Ecclus. xxxiii. 20 Ȝyue þou not to an ooþer þi possessioun lest it othinke þee & þou lowli preie for hem.
c1390 G. Chaucer Melibeus 2874 They ne requeren ne preyen me nat of pees, ne they asken nat to be reconsiled.
a1425 (c1300) Assumption of Virgin (BL Add.) (1901) l. 164 My sone..I praie þee of þi blessing.
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 34 (MED) Ladies..y praie you of a bone [= boon].
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. lii. 36 The bisshop prayd this kyng Aldroye of help and socour.
a1500 (?a1400) Tale King Edward & Shepherd (Cambr.) (1930) 112 (MED) And he pray hir of a bone..She will not onys say nay.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 166/30 Humblie thay [sc. the Romans] pray King Galdie..for thair lyfe.
1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 99 We also pray thy Majesty, for expedition in this matter. View more context for this quotation
1731 J. Trapp tr. Virgil Georgicks iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. I. 197 The restive Swain..prays the Gods for better fate.
1831 W. Scott Jrnl. 1 Jan. (1946) 132 If I were worthy I wou[l]d pray God for a sudden death.
1887 R. F. Burton tr. Arabian Nights' Entertainm.: Suppl. Nights III. dxliii. 101 The Sultan is mild and merciful, never rejecting..any who pray him for a present.
1952 S. Selvon Brighter Sun vii. 130 Don't know Indian people haveam [sic] own god?.. To pray Kali for rain?
2005 ANSA English Media Service (Nexis) 2 Feb. We learned about the improving state of the Pope and pray God for his recovery.
ΚΠ
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lxv. 4 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 73 All mens praiers to thee raised Retorne possest of what they pray thee.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > request courteously or invite > invite a person to do something
praya1325
desirec1330
invite1583
a1325 (c1250) Prov. Hendyng (Cambr.) xli, in Anglia (1881) 4 189 (MED) Þou ȝevist him þat his þi pere, And preist him to þi feste.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 155 Þey preyed [?a1475 anon. transl. desirede] to a feste al þe grete of þe Pictes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 13987 (MED) He praid him til his hus.
a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 206 Þe kyng of Yngland praied þe king of Frauns to dyner þe next day.
c1475 (a1400) Sir Amadace (Taylor) in J. Robson Three Early Eng. Metrical Romances (1842) 35 To pray the marchand..To soupe with him that nyȝte.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. i. 266 I pray you home to dinner with me. View more context for this quotation
1893 S. O. Jewett Native of Winby 183 'T is Mis' Fales!.. There, do let's pray her by!
4.
a. transitive. With infinitive or clause as object. To ask in prayer, beseech that, to be, etc. In later use also in weakened sense (cf. sense 1a).
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a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 71 (MED) His suete sone..preiede he moste deye for vs alle.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 2406 (MED) Boþe..bi-gunne to preie þat god..schuld gete him fro harm.
a1450 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Lamb.) (1887) i. 7545 Preyenge..Þat he wolde ony night herberwe him wyþ.
a1500 Gospel of Nicodemus (Harl. 149) (1974) 63 (MED) Anothyr Jewe..cam to Pylat and preyed þat he myght speke.
1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 187 Offa, of Mers kyng, Vnto the B. of Roome sent his letters prayeng To depriue Lambert of Cauntorbury Of primacy.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) i. ii. 90 And praies that you will hie you home. View more context for this quotation
1652 H. L'Estrange Americans No Iewes Epist. to Reader I..pray to be pruned of riot and rankness.
1660 Bp. J. Taylor Worthy Communicant ii. ii. 131 If we..pray that we may have lively relish and appetite to the mysteries, it may be well in time.
1703 D. Williamson Serm. before Gen. Assembly Edinb. 59 I pray that none of Nobility or Gentry prigg with God in this matter.
1798 J. Root Rep. Superior Court & Supreme Court of Errors 1 114 Pray to have said note chancered both as to the principal and interest.
1846 H. H. Wilson Hist. Brit. India 1805–35 II. xi. 487 [They] prayed to be exempted from the operation of the law.
1867 A. Webster Woman Sold & Other Poems 34 It is good To see you happy. I, whom no one loves, Will pray you may be happy, both of you.
1886 N.Z. Herald 28 May 5/5 Praying that the gumfields..should be opened during the winter season.
1931 V. Woolf Waves 249 Praying that God may keep us safe while we sleep.
1961 G. Frankau in P. Frankau Pen to Paper 221 I must pray to be redeemed from the sin of Smuggery.
1972 R. Allen Skinhead Escapes x. 58 Kenny was his ace in the hole. He trusted the wart-nosed rat to blabber. He prayed Kenny would try to save his hide.
1996 Church Times 27 Sept. 9/2 All we can do is to pray that the Lord will ease the situation one way or the other as he sees fit.
b. transitive. To say (a prayer).
ΚΠ
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 164 To þe heiȝ king of heuene preieth a pater noster.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) 757 (MED) I be-seche þe, lord..Of sum herber þer heȝly I myȝt here masse..& þer-to prestly I pray my pater & aue & crede.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. KKKvii The prayer of a synner, though it deserue nat to be herde of god, in that he is a synner that prayeth it.
1582 Bible (Rheims) Matt. xxiii. 14 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: because you devour the houses of widows, praying long prayers.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 147 Ile pray a thousand praiers for thy death, No word to saue thee. View more context for this quotation
1665 T. H. Exact Surv. Affaires Netherlands 197 That they shall pray prayers twice a week.
1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd ii. ii. 23 Seven Times does her Prayers backwards pray, Till Plotcock comes.
1793 J. Alleine Admonition to Unconverted Sinners 177 Lord, I come to thee as the poor publican, and I pray his prayer.
1819 G. Crabbe Tales of Hall I. iv. 71 I pray'd in heart an indirected prayer.
1885 R. F. Burton tr. Arabian Nights' Entertainm. I. xx. 197 Nur al-Din..rose with the light and prayed the dawn-prayer.
1931 D. B. Hughes Dark Certainty 33 Pray a prayer That you will not Find him there.
1992 R. Anaya Albuquerque ii. 28 The penitentes sang the old alabados and prayed the rosary.
c. transitive. To ask for earnestly in prayer; to make an entreaty for.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > beseech or implore
beseechc1175
ofsechec1300
praya1350
praya1387
supply?c1400
treatc1450
entreatc1475
solicitate1563
bepray1598
exore1598
exorate1599
implorea1616
deprecate1624
beg1675
implead1682
fleech1718
impetrate1881
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 95 (MED) What þou hast i-prayed [L. postulasti], it is graunted to þe.
a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (1987) v. 1011 Diomede..Gan pressen on, and faste hire mercy preye.
1595 T. Bedingfield tr. N. Machiavelli Florentine Hist. ii. 39 Now they were inforced to pray his aide.
1619 W. Sclater Expos. 1 Thess. (iii. 5) 218 Whether it be lawfull to pray freedome from all temptations.
1681 Heraclitus Ridens 25 Oct. 2/2 They prate, they print, they preach and pray Sedition.
1716 A. Pope Full Acct. E. Curll 4 I do sincerely pray Forgiveness for those indirect Methods I have pursued.
1806 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. VI. 338 If a conveyance had been prayed, there must have been a limitation to trustees, to preserve contingent remainders.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 22 Fair Host and Earl, I pray your courtesy.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire ii. 74 The next day Voltaire saw his man in prison with irons on and praying an alms from the passers by.
1888 J. Ruskin Præterita III. ii. 92 He prayed permission to introduce his mother and sisters to us.
1997 Guardian (Nexis) 4 Apr. 13 Now Gordon Brown prays forgiveness by offering the electorate an olive branch of possible future tax cuts.
d. transitive. With direct speech as object.
ΚΠ
c1422 T. Hoccleve Tale of Jerelaus (Durh.) l. 151 in Minor Poems (1970) i. 145 He lookid pitously and meekly preide, ‘O gracious lady, reewe on me.’
1591 A. Fraunce Countesse of Pembrokes Emanuel sig. C4v Christe..Gaue not a check for a taunt, but alas very hartyly prayed, Father forgeue them, forget this villany Father.
c1601 Song of Mary Mother of Christ 23 And thus he prayed: ô Father God of light, (If it may be) let this vnseasoned cup Of sorrow passe.
1796 R. Bage Hermsprong I. v. 47 I made up to the first group, mostly women. One prayed, ‘The Lord have mercy upon us all.’
1824 L. M. Child Hobomok xv. 141 Then kneeling beside the grave, he prayed, ‘Heavenly Father, I beseech thee to forgive this worship of an earthly idol.’
1867 Galaxy 3 308 Hassan fled 'Neath the simoom yet prayed, ‘I thank thee still, Dear Lord! All pains are thine and work thy will!’
1915 C. Evans My People 164 ‘Dear little Big Man,’ she prayed, ‘let not your son bach religious depart.’
1992 L. Gordon Shared Lives i. 2 ‘God, make me normal,’ I prayed at assembly that last year at school.
5. transitive and reflexive with complement. To bring, put, or get into some state or condition by praying.
ΚΠ
1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Gen. xxxii. 24) 260 Our Saviour also pray'd himself into an agony;..Nehemiah prayed himself pale; Daniel prayed himself sick.
1686 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 371 At the queens chappell at St. James are papers stuck up..for the prayeing of persons out of purgatory.
1739 D. Bellamy Rival Priests II. ii. i. 26 I must clap you into Purgatory. As you're a Priest..you can soon pray yourself out again.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison V. v. 36 I would pray her out of her pains, if I could.
1822 J. Flint Lett. from Amer. 233 One of them gifted with a loud and clear voice, drowned the other totally, and actually prayed him down.
1869 R. Browning Ring & Bk. III. vii. 27 Either you have prayed him unperverse Or I have talked him back into his wits.
1903 R. Kipling 5 Nations in Islanders 139 Will ye pray them or preach them, or print them, or ballot them back from your shore?
1997 K. O'Riordan Boy in Moon ix. 157 Jeremiah could pray her better, Brian thought.
Phrases
P1. transitive. In parenthetic use. Cf. pray adv.
a. I pray you (also thee, ye): (used to add urgency, solicitation, or deference to a question or request) ‘I beg of you’; ‘please’. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > [phrase] > courteous expressions
I pray you (also thee, ye)c1330
I praya1350
pray you (also thee, ye)c1439
by your leave1914
c1330 (?c1300) Speculum Guy (Auch.) (1898) 601 (MED) Þenk in þin herte, i preie þe, Off þe wrong and þe vilte.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. 1829 (MED) Ches for ous bothen, I you preie.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) 254 (MED) Liȝt luflych adoun, & lenge, I þe praye.
c1475 Mankind (1969) 86 (MED) Cum forth, goode fader, I yow prey!
?1520 J. Rastell Nature .iiii. Element sig. Biiij Syr I pray you be contente It is not vtterly myne intente your company to exyle.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiiv Ascribe it I pray you to my insufficiency and ignoraunce.
a1596 Sir Thomas More (1911) i. ii. 69 I pray ye,..Goe not aboute to vndermine my life.
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Prophetesse v. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ffff2v/1 Yes, yes: we'll all be handsom, and wash our faces. Neighbour, I see a remnant of March dust that's hatch'd into your chaps: I pray ye be carefull and mundifie your muzzell.
a1652 R. Brome City Wit v. sig. F6v, in Five New Playes (1653) I pray you what is Lady Luxury? A woman regenerative.
1706 Mare of Collingtoun in J. Watson Choice Coll. Scots Poems i. 43 I pray you, Duncan, thole me here, Until the outcum of the Year.
1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy II. xii. 83 Forgive, I pray thee, this rash humour.
1816 S. T. Coleridge Christabel i. 14 O weary lady, Geraldine, I pray you, drink this cordial wine!
1859 Ld. Tennyson Lancelot & Elaine 968 in Idylls of King I pray you, use some rough discourtesy To blunt or break her passion.
1897 B. Stoker Dracula xvii. 223 Read all, I pray you, with the open mind.
1953 A. Hosain Phoenix Fled 121 Don't ask the men at the police station, I pray you.
1990 P. Wiat Child Bride (BNC) 64 Look not so dismayed, I pray you—or it will be construed that I have made some unwelcome proposal.
b. I pray: ‘I beg’, ‘please’; ‘I might ask’. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > [phrase] > courteous expressions
I pray you (also thee, ye)c1330
I praya1350
pray you (also thee, ye)c1439
by your leave1914
a1350 in K. Böddeker Altengl. Dichtungen (1878) 200 (MED) Myldeliche myne, y preie, al þat þou se.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 255 (MED) Bring him hider, faire barn, y preye.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. 1030 (MED) Taketh hede, I praye, both hyȝ and lowe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) v. vii. 36 Why what (I pray) is Margaret more then that? View more context for this quotation
1629 W. Prynne Church of Englands Old Antithesis 86 I pray what Scripture proues it?
1704 J. Norris Ess. Ideal World II. xii. 457 Where, I pray, is it that we see it?
1798 W. Wordsworth Goody Blake & Harry Gill in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 93 Now think, ye farmers all, I pray, Of Goody Blake and Harry Gill.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xl. 275 O, Lord! give me these two more souls, I pray!
1897 B. Stoker Dracula iv. 44 I may not have the pleasure of talk tonight, since there are many labours to me; but you will sleep, I pray.
1938 N. Coward in B. Day N. Coward: Compl. Lyrics (1998) 193/3 Whisper low, I pray She yet is sleeping.
1993 B. Aldiss Tupolev too Far (BNC) 87 Let me free, I pray. Let me live upon this blessed mountain.
c. (With omission of I.) pray you (also thee, ye) = I pray you (also thee, ye) at Phrases 1a. Cf. prithee int. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > [phrase] > courteous expressions
I pray you (also thee, ye)c1330
I praya1350
pray you (also thee, ye)c1439
by your leave1914
c1439 J. Gyn in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 5 Prey and beseche yow to witte þat on þe Friday next after your departyng..Thomas Walyssh and William Burgh..were at Honyng.
1522 Inscription in Early Drama Art & Music Rev. (1989) 12 10 Quarfor pray the thy sweryng lay by.
1584 R. Wilson Three Ladies of London sig. F j v Therefore pray ye Sir, be miserable to me, and let me go.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. v. 83 Iessi. Nay, let me praise you while I haue a stomack? Loren. No pray thee, let it serue for table talke. View more context for this quotation
1616 B. Jonson Every Man in his Humor (rev. ed.) iv. x, in Wks. I. 61 What meane these questions, 'pray yee?
a1661 B. Holyday tr. Juvenal Satyres (1673) 137 ‘Reward!’ says one, ‘why, pray y', what do I know?’
1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads 91 But, brother, pra'ye, sit down and rest a while.
1722 H. Carey Hanging & Marriage 8 Squeak: Pray ye, Mr. Stubble, let me alone. Richard: Ay its Mister, is it?
1825 J. Briggs Remains 167 Preigh ya stop a lal bit.
1867 J. Ingelow Story of Doom iv. 21 Pray you let us not; we fain would greet our mother.
1876 C. C. Robinson Gloss. Words Dial. Mid-Yorks. at Glump ‘Pray thee, what's thou glumping at.’
1993 J. Byrne My Enemy, my Love (BNC) Pray you, Judith, pick out a likely girl to serve as her maid.
P2. to pray in aid: (a) intransitive to call on the assistance of (also †for), to make use of, esp. in proving an argument (now rare); (b) transitive. (esp. Law) to ask for the assistance of (a person or thing) in pleading a case; to use (a fact, law, etc.) in one's defence (cf. aid n. 5).In recent use, when an of-phrase follows, the latter usually denotes the thing which it is desired to assist or defend.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > make a request [verb (intransitive)] > solicit help, votes, etc.
canvass1524
to pray in aid1531
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > pleading > plead [verb (intransitive)] > claim help in defending action
to pray in aid1531
1531 St. German's Secunde Dyaloge Doctour & Student (new ed.) vii. f. xx In lyke wyse he may nat praye in ayde for hym: oneles he knowe the praye [1554 prayee] haue good cause of voucher and lyon.
1594 H. Plat Jewell House 40 To drawe..by hand onely, without praying in aide of the same [sc. perspective glass].
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 156 Yet, without praying in Aid of Alchymists, there is a manifest Image of this, in the ordinarie course of Nature.
1642 tr. J. Perkins Profitable Bk. v. §310. 137 The other..prayeth in aid of his coparcener.
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. xx. 300 In real actions also the tenant may pray in aid, or call for assistance of another, to help him to plead.
1831 Times 5 July 1/2 He did not pray in aid the authority of this able and upright judge.
1867 Jrnl. Statist. Soc. 30 498 Praying in aid the etymology of the word statistics.
1916 Harvard Law Rev. 30 6 It is only in the last resort, that the provisions of the Inheritance Act and the Statutes of Distribution are prayed in aid.
1940 F. S. Boas Christopher Marlowe xiii. 234 Marlowe..prays in aid as a parallel the Empedoclean doctrine that strife begot the universe.
1945 Mod. Law Rev. 8 217 The question for determination is not whether a prisoner can call in aid of the provisoes.
1975 Amer. Polit. Sci. Rev. 69 1428/2 His attempt to pray in aid of it the moral philosophical cleavage between is and ought.
1999 Internat. & Compar. Law Q. 48 847 A State may not pray in aid deficiencies in its internal legal order to escape its international obligations.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
prayadv.
Used to add urgency, solicitation, or deference to a request: ‘I pray you’.Now often deliberately archaic, and frequently used to add ironic politeness to a question or request.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > [adverb] > urgently, pressingly, or importunately
straitly1340
effectuously1416
effectually1418
importunely1447
importunately1477
clamorously1532
urgently1548
praya1600
pressingly1760
besiegingly1821
clamantly1863
a1600 Meaning of Marriage (Sloane 1983B) in Jyl of Breyntford's Test. (1871) 41 Pray doe it over again.
1607 T. Dekker & J. Webster West-ward Hoe ii. i. sig. Cv Iust.: Were I the proprest, sweetest, plumpest, Cherry-cheekt, Corrall-lipt woman in a kingdome, I would not daunce after one mans pipe... Iud. And why, pray!
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. i. 18 Pray set it downe, and rest you. View more context for this quotation
1700 G. Farquhar Constant Couple iii. i. 24 Pray Sir, are the Roads deep between this and Paris?
1738 A. Pope One Thousand Seven Hundred & Thirty Eight Dialogue II 11 And how did, pray, the florid Youth offend, Whose Speech you took, and gave it to a Friend?
1756 W. Toldervy Hist. Two Orphans I. 146 And so, Sir, pray don't meddle nor make with the maids.
1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 74 Pray, let me pass!
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 354 Shall I tell you why? Pray do.
1898 G. B. Shaw Philanderer II. 106 My daughter wants to marry you! Who are you, pray, that she should have any such ambition?
1951 M. Kennedy Lucy Carmichael ii. i. 73 Pray Bess, what was he like?
1992 Wisden Cricket Monthly June 20 What, pray, is the point of 8.30 finishes in matches afforded a reserve day?
1996 Guardian 28 May i. 2/1 What, pray, is a mockumentary? Not, it seems, just a documentary that mocks (as every second one today does).
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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