pray
adverb/preɪ/
/preɪ/
(old use or ironic)- used to mean ‘please’ when you are asking a question or telling somebody to do something
- What, pray, is the meaning of this?
- Pray continue.
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘ask earnestly’): from Old French preier, from late Latin precare, alteration of Latin precari ‘entreat’.
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