Etymology Map
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Pray

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to address a god; to hope earnestly

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

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

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.