Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pray \Pray\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Praying}.] [OE. preien, OF. preier, F. prier, L. precari,
   fr. prex, precis, a prayer, a request; akin to Skr. prach to
   ask, AS. frignan, fr[=i]nan, fricgan, G. fragen, Goth.
   fra['i]hnan. Cf. {Deprecate}, {Imprecate}, {Precarious}.]
   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.