pray, preca- +

1. To express condemnation of something or somebody: "The spokesman deprecates the use of violence of violence as done by some demonstrators."
2. To express disapproval of; to deplore.
3. To belittle; to depreciate.

To deprecate something is to condemn it as being wrong in itself: "There are many who deprecate the use of public money for nonessential purposes."

To deprecate originally meant "to pray for deliverance from something unfavorable" or "disapproved". It comes from Latin de-, "away" + precari "to pray, to request" from which we also get pray and prayer.

1. The act of expressing disapproval; especially of oneself.
2. Disapproval of something or saying that a person does not approve of something: "There was considerable deprecation regarding the use of company funds for political purposes."
3. A prayer meant to avert or to remove some evil or disaster.

1. Given to expressing disapproval.
2. Tending to diminish or to disparage.
3. A reference to the removal or the averting of some evil by means of prayer.

1. A tendency to diminish or to disparage: "Deprecatory remarks were made about the book."
2. Disapproving and critical.
3. Expressing disapproval or criticism.
4. Mildly disparaging or uncomplimentary; especially, of oneself.

1. To utter obscenities or profanities.
2. To wish harm upon; to invoke evil upon.
3. To call down harm; especially, a curse on someone.
4. Etymology: Latin imprecari, imprecat-; in-, "towards" + precari, "to pray, to ask".

1. The calling down of harm on someone.
2. An offensive word or phrase that people say when they are angry: "She muttered an imprecation under her breath."
3. Swearing or blasphemy; a slanderous accusation.

Someone who speaks an offensive word or phrase; especially, when angry.

1. To make an entreaty; that is, to beg, beseech, implore; to beg.
2. To ask someone earnestly and fervently; to entreat (to beg someone for something, often repeatedly).
3. To utter or to address a prayer or prayers to God, a god, or another object of worship.
Etymology: from Latin precari which meant "to ask for, to entreat, to pray".

In Vulgar Latin, it became precare, which passed into English via Old French preier.

The noun prayer goes back ultimately to the Latin adjective precarius, "obtained by asking or praying".

Someone who prays.

1. The act of offering reverent petitions; especially, to God or a deity.
2. The act of beseeching earnestly; an entreaty.
3. Communion with God and recognition of His presence, as in praise, thanksgiving, intercession, etc.
4. The act of communicating with a deity; especially, as a petition or in adoration, contrition, or thanksgiving.
5. An act of communion with God, a god, or another object of worship; such as, in devotion, confession, praise, or thanksgiving: "At least one evening every week, our family would jkoin together in prayer."
6. A religious observance in which praying predominates: "We had our morning prayers today."

A string of beads for keeping count of the prayers one is saying; a rosary.

1. A book containing religious prayers.
2. A Prayer Book: The Book of Common Prayer.

The Anglican service book of the Church of England; which has had several revisions since the Reformation and is widely admired for the dignity and beauty of its language.

1. Inclined or given to prayer frequently; devotional.
2. Typical or indicative of prayer, as a mannerism, gesture, or facial expression.

An evangelical service; especially, one held on a weekday evening, in which the members of churches participate by singing, praying, or testifying their faith.

A small rug used by Moslems to kneel and to prostrate themselves upon during devotions.