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Benedict vs Pray - What's the difference?

benedict | pray |

As a proper noun benedict

is , particularly of the sixth-century founder of the benedictine order, and of several popes.

As a verb pray is

to petition or solicit help from a supernatural or higher being.

As an adverb pray is

please; used to make a polite request.

benedict

English

Etymology 1

From Benedicke'' (a variant of ), a character in , 1598.

Noun

(en noun)
  • (rare) A newly married man, especially one who was previously a confirmed bachelor.
  • * 1891 , Mary Noailles Murfree, In the "Stranger Poeple's" Country , Nebraska 2005, p. 50:
    • The benedict , drearily superfluous to the festivities, had hardly been noticed by her as he lurked about the walls and sought what entertainment was possible to one under the social disabilities of matrimony.
    References
    * Garner's Usage Tip of the Day: "Benedict/Benedicke", accessed on 2005-04-30, which in turn cites Garner's Modern American Usage , Bryan Garner, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0195161912, 2003

    Etymology 2

    (etyl) (lena) benedictus, past participle of . See benison, and compare bennet.

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Having mild and salubrious qualities.
  • * 1622', , ''Natural History'', '''1740 , ''The Works of Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, Viscount St. Alban , Volume 3, page 5,
    • And it is not a ?mall thing won in Phy?ick, if you can make rhubarb, and other medicines that are benedict , as ?trong purgers, as tho?e that are not without ?ome malignity.
    (Webster 1913) English eponyms Words from Shakespeare

    pray

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To petition or solicit help from a supernatural or higher being.
    • Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca.
  • To humbly beg a person for aid or their time.
  • (religion) to communicate with God for any reason.
  • (obsolete) To ask earnestly for; to seek to obtain by supplication; to entreat for.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I know not how to pray your patience.

    Derived terms

    * prayer * pray in aid

    Adverb

    (-)
  • please; used to make a polite request.
    • pray silence for…
  • * 1816 , (Jane Austen), , Volume 1 Chapter 8
    • "Pray , Mr. Knightley," said Emma, who had been smiling to herself through a great part of this speech, "how do you know that Mr. Martin did not speak yesterday?"
  • * Charles Dickens, , 1841:
    • Pray''' don’t ask me why, '''pray''' don’t be sorry, '''pray don’t be vexed with me!
  • * Frederick Marryat, , 1845:
    • Well, Major, pray tell us your adventures, for you have frightened us dreadfully.
  • * 1892 , (Arthur Conan Doyle),
    • Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue your most interesting statement.
  • * 2013 , Martina Hyde, Is the pope Catholic?'' (in ''The Guardian , 20 September 2013)[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/20/is-pope-catholic-atheists-gay-people-abortion]
    • He is a South American, so perhaps revolutionary spirit courses through Francis's veins. But what, pray , does the Catholic church want with doubt?