transitive verb

1. to implore or beseech: now seldom used except as the elliptical form of “I pray you” pray tell me
2. to ask for by prayer or supplication; beg for imploringly
3. to recite (a prayer)
4. to bring about, get, etc. by praying

Etymology: ME preien < OFr preier < LL precare, for L precari < prex (gen. precis), prayer < IE *pre-, var. of base *per-, question > Ger frage, question

intransitive verb

1. to ask very earnestly; make supplication, as to a deity
2. to worship God, a god, etc., as by reciting certain set formulas