pray
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source: [氷菓の千反田えるがお祈りするGIF画像｜無料GIF画像検索 GIFMAGAZINE 720957]
verb no object
address a solemn request or expression of thanks to a deity or other object of worship:
〈人が〉 «…のために, …を願って/…に/…のことを» 祈る, (強く)願う «for/to/over»
e.g. the whole family is praying for Michael
〈人が〉〈神様など〉に祈る, (強く)願う; 〖～(to A) (that)節〗 (A〈神など〉に)…ということを祈る; 〖～(for A) to do〗 (Aが)…することを祈る
e.g. with object : pray God this is true.
wish or hope strongly for a particular outcome or situation:
e.g. after several days of rain, we were praying for sun
｟書｠ 〖直接話法〗…と祈る
e.g. with clause : I prayed that James wouldn't notice.
adverb formal or archaic
used as a preface to polite requests or instructions:
〖命令文で〗どうか(please)
e.g. pray continue.
used as a way of adding ironic or sarcastic emphasis to a question:
〖疑問文で〗どうか, お願いだから
e.g. and what, pray, was the purpose of that?
ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense ‘ask earnestly’): from Old French preier, from late Latin precare, alteration of Latin precari ‘entreat’.