pray

Where does the word "pray" come from? It comes from Latin precari, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Pray’s story begins in Latin: precari meant “to ask earnestly.” From 'prex', prayer. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as preier. Used for both asking people and asking God. It reached English by 1200s as pray. 'pray tell' keeps the older asking sense. Today, pray means to address a god; to hope earnestly.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient precari "to ask earnestly", from 'prex', prayer.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval preier "to beg, pray", used for both asking people and asking God.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s pray "to ask; to speak to God", 'pray tell' keeps the older asking sense.