Shak.
3. To effect or accomplish by praying; as, to pray a soul out of
purgatory. Milman.
To pray in aid. (Law) (a) To call in as a helper one who has an
interest in the cause. Bacon. (b) A phrase often used to signify
claiming the benefit of an argument. See under Aid. Mozley & W.
Pray"er (?), n. One who prays; a supplicant.
Prayer (&?;; 277), n. [OE. preiere, OF. preiere, F. priËre, fr. L.
precarius obtained by prayer, fr. precari to pray. See Pray, v. i.] 1.
The act of praying, or of asking a favor; earnest request or entreaty;
hence, a petition or memorial addressed to a court or a legislative
body. "Their meek preyere." Chaucer
2. The act of addressing supplication to a divinity, especially to the
true God; the offering of adoration, confession, supplication, and
thanksgiving to the Supreme Being; as, public prayer; secret prayer.
As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer.
Shak.
3. The form of words used in praying; a formula of supplication; an
expressed petition; especially, a supplication addressed to God; as, a
written or extemporaneous prayer; to repeat one's prayers.
He made those excellent prayers which were published immediately
after his death.
Bp. Fell.
Prayer book, a book containing devotional prayers. -- Prayer meeting, a
meeting or gathering for prayer to God.
Syn. -- Petition; orison; supplication; entreaty; suit.
Prayer"ful (?), a. Given to prayer; praying much or often; devotional.
"The prayerful man." J. S. Blackie. -- Prayer"ful*ly, adv. --
Prayer"ful*ness, n.
Prayer"less (?; 277), a. Not using prayer; habitually neglecting prayer
to God; without prayer. "The next time you go prayerless to bed."
Baxter.
-- Prayer"less*ly, adv. -- Prayer"less*ness, n.
Pray"ing (?), a. & n. from Pray, v.
Praying insect, locust, or mantis (Zoˆl.), a mantis, especially Mantis
religiosa. See Mantis. -- Praying machine, or Praying wheel, a wheel on
which prayers are pasted by Buddhist priests, who then put the wheel in
rapid revolution. Each turn in supposed to have the efficacy of an oral
repetition of all the prayers on the wheel. Sometimes it is moved by a
stream.
Pray"ing*ly, adv. With supplication to God.
Pre- (?). [L. prae, adv. & prep., before, akin to pro, and to E. for,
prep.: cf. F. prÈ-. See Pro-, and cf. Prior.] A prefix denoting
priority (of time, place, or rank); as, precede, to go before;
precursor, a forerunner; prefix, to fix or place before; preÎminent
eminent before or above others. Pre- is sometimes used intensively, as
in prepotent, very potent. [Written also prÊ-.]
Pre*ac`cu*sa"tion (?), n. Previous accusation.
Preace (?), v. & n. Press. [Obs.] Spenser.
Preach (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preached (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Preaching.] [OE. prechen, OF. preechier, F. prÍcher, fr. L. praedicare
to cry in public, to proclaim; prae before + dicare to make known,
dicere to say; or perhaps from (assumed) LL. praedictare. See Diction,
and cf. Predicate, Predict.] 1. To proclaim or publish tidings;
specifically, to proclaim the gospel; to discourse publicly on a
religious subject, or from a text of Scripture; to deliver a sermon.
How shall they preach, except they be sent?
Rom. x. 15.
From that time Jesus began to preach.
Matt. iv. 17.
2. To give serious advice on morals or religion; to discourse in the
manner of a preacher.
Preach, v. t. 1. To proclaim by public discourse; to utter in a sermon
or a formal religious harangue.
That Cristes gospel truly wolde preche.
Chaucer.
The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek.
Isa. lxi. 1.
2. To inculcate in public discourse; to urge with earnestness by public
teaching. "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation."
Ps. xl. 9.