praying

verbplead; call upon for help, answer

Synonyms for praying

verb plead; call upon for help, answer

Antonyms for praying

Word Origin & History

early 13c., "ask earnestly, beg," also (c.1300) "pray to a god or saint," from Old French preier "to pray" (c.900, Modern French prier), from Vulgar Latin *precare (also source of Italian pregare), from Latin precari "ask earnestly, beg, entreat," from *prex (plural preces, genitive precis) "prayer, request, entreaty," from PIE root *prek- "to ask, request, entreat" (cf. Sanskrit prasna-, Avestan frashna- "question;" Old Church Slavonic prositi, Lithuanian prasyti "to ask, beg;" Old High German frahen, German fragen, Old English fricgan "to ask" a question).

Parenthetical expression I pray you, "please, if you will," attested from 1510s, contracted to pray 16c. Related: Prayed; praying. Praying mantis attested from 1809. The "Gardener's Monthly" of July 1861 lists other names for it as camel cricket, soothsayer, and rear horse.

Example Sentences for praying

A long telegram from the Princess of Wales concluded: "I am praying for you."

If he prayed to Him later he would know to whom he was praying.

She thanked God for the country, but soon was praying to him for the town.

I find I must be intensely individual, not to the exclusion of others, but in praying.

What is to be said about the importance of praying in faith?

The praying of this petition presupposes a penitent state of heart.

By praying God to give us our daily bread, we acknowledge that it comes from Him.

Oh, Martin, I know you're not a praying man—but if you could only learn.

And now, wherever he is and whatever, can I help loving and praying for him?

We were at Luxor; and somewhere not far off, Mabella Hnem was praying for release.