Definition of pray

The word "pray" originated from the Old English word "pregan," which meant "to ask, to request, or to entreat." This term developed from the Proto-Germanic word "praisan," which had a similar meaning. The Latin word "precare," meaning "to request," also influenced the evolution of the word "pray." During the Middle English period, the word "preien" evolved from "pregan," and it signified both "to pray" and "to beg." However, by the 14th century, the meaning of "pray" became increasingly associated with religious devotion. The Latin word "oratio" (meaning "prayer") also left its mark on the English language through its influence on the French word "oraison," which contributed to the development of the Middle English word "ouracle," eventually leading to "oration" and "oration prayer" in Modern English. In summary, the word "pray" originated from a combination of Old English, Proto-Germanic, and Latin vocabulary, initially bearing a secular meaning before acquiring a profoundly spiritual connotation in the Middle English period.