Crossword Genius

Beg or ask! Precare, supplica! (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ora

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'ask precare supplica' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'beg or' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'or' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'a' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for ora that I've seen is " Pray for us - ... pro nobis".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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