What does the older word prithee mean?

"Prithee" is an archaic word meaning "I pray thee" or "please". It's a polite way of making a request, similar to how we might say "please" or "would you please" today.

Here's a breakdown:

* "Prithee" is a contraction of "pray thee".

* "Pray" in this context is not a religious request, but a polite way to ask.

* "Thee" is the archaic form of "you".

So, "prithee" is essentially a formal, old-fashioned way of saying "please".

Examples:

* "Prithee, sir, could you spare a moment of your time?"

* "Prithee, tell me more about your travels."

You might encounter "prithee" in older literature, Shakespearean plays, or historical fiction. It's rarely used in modern English.