Where does “pray tell” come from?
pray tell (English) comes from English pray, from Middle English preien, from Anglo-Norman preier, from Old French proiier, from Latin precor, from Latin prex, from Proto-Italic preks, from Proto-Indo-European préḱs.
pray tell (English): Please explain; Expressing incredulity, please...
Definitions
- Please explain; Expressing incredulity, please...
Ancestry of “pray tell”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | pray | To direct words, thoughts, or one's attention to... |
| 2 | Middle English | preien | to pray |
| 3 | Anglo-Norman | preier | Alternative form of proiier |
| 4 | Old French | proiier | to pray; to pray; to beg; to implore; to beg |
| 5 | Latin | precor | I beseech, beg, pray, entreat; I wish well or ill... |
| 6 | Latin | prex | prayer; request; entreaty |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | preks | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | préḱs | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | preḱ- | to ask |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥ḱneh₂ | — |