prithee

Meanings

1. 1interjectionarchaic

   Used to ask someone politely to do something; an old way of saying 'please'.

   Grammar: Stands alone as a request; often followed by a clause or imperative: Prithee, tell me.

   Patterns

   • prithee, do something
   • prithee, tell me something

   Prithee, good sir, tell me where the road leads.

   She leaned closer and whispered, 'Prithee, do not speak of this to anyone.'

   Prithee, stay a while and share our meal.

2. 2interjectionarchaicliterary

   Used to express a polite request or plea, especially in historical drama or fiction.

   Grammar: Often set off by commas or at the start of a sentence; functions like 'please' but is archaic.

   Patterns

   • prithee, I beg you

   Prithee, I beg you, forgive my foolish words.

   The old man bowed and said, 'Prithee, grant me one last wish.'

Common combinations

prithee, tell me

Prithee, tell me what troubles you.

prithee, do not

Prithee, do not weep for me.

prithee, sir

Prithee, sir, may I have a word?

prithee, come hither

Prithee, come hither and sit beside me.

prithee, stay

Prithee, stay and rest your weary feet.

Synonyms and how they differ

please

The modern everyday equivalent; prithee is archaic and only used for historical flavor.

I pray thee

The fuller archaic phrase from which prithee developed; prithee is a contraction.

Commonly confused: prithee or pray?

Practice

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