Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Praying, vbl. n. Also: praing(e, prayng(e, pryeing. [ME preying, -yng (Manning), e.m.E. prayinge (15th c.), praing (Caxton).]

1. The action of praying to God or the saints. = Prayer n. 2. c1420 Wynt. iv 2594.
And thai thre dayis in hard fastyng Scho bade [and] in tyll thra praying c1460 Thewis Gud Women 163.
Mekile gud cummys of praynge c1500-c1512 Dunb. ix 37.
Nocht gaif I … to my nychtbouris support of my praying 1533 Gau 85/11.
Thair suld be say mony thousand ȝeris of pardone for the prainge of thayme 1562 Inverness Rec. I 88.
To the puyr folkis for praing for the saidis James, conforme to his legasie a1578 Pitsc. II 70/18.
As for praying and honouring to sanctis thair is gret doubt [etc.] 1596 Dalr. I 107/7.
Thair prayng, walkeng, fasting … mycht inclyne Christe to mercie 1604 Elgin Rec. II 123.
Inhibit to hant the Chanrie kirk in praying 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X 331.
Ane hundered pound Scots gratuitie for his preaching and pryeing to the prisoners in the tolbuith

2. The action of appealing to or entreating another (to do something). = Prayer n. 4. ?1438 Alex. i 208 heading.
Heir Emynedus makis praying To the douze pers to warn the king