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Define the word I pray

"I pray" gcide "The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48"

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[imac]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.
   [1913 Webster]

         And to his goddess pitously he preyde.   --Chaucer.
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         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.
   [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            I pray, sir. why am I beaten?         --Shak.
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   Syn: To entreat; supplicate; beg; implore; invoke; beseech;
        petition.
        [1913 Webster]