pray Definition

pray
verb prayed, praying

now usually intr
1. To address one's god, making earnest requests or giving thanks.
tr & intr
2. old use
To entreat or implore
Example: Stop, I pray you!
Thesaurus: implore, beg, beseech, plead bwith, entreat, importune, request, ask, supplicate, petition, invoke, solicit, press, adjure, obsecrate, urge, sue, call on, crave.
tr & intr
3. To hope desperately.

exclamation

1. old use
Please, or may I ask
Example: Pray come in
Example: Who asked you, pray?

Etymology: 13c: from French preier, from Latin precari to entreat.

Info:

A word often confused with this one is prey.