prey

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 Verb 1.5 Anagrams 1.6 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Via Middle English and Old French preie from Latin praeda

[edit] Pronunciation

• enPR: prā, IPA: /preɪ/, SAMPA: /preI/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: Rhymes: -eɪ
• Homophones: pray

[edit] Noun

prey (uncountable)

1. (archaic) Anything, as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; anything taken by force from an enemy in war; spoil; booty; plunder.
2. That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be devoured; hence, a person given up as a victim.
3. A living thing that is eaten by another living thing.

   The rabbit was eaten by the coyote, so the rabbit is the coyote's prey.

[edit] Usage notes

Though often confused, prey applies to all living things, not just animals.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to prey (third-person singular simple present preys, present participle preying, simple past and past participle preyed)

1. To victimize, hunt, attack or plunder.
2. To devour.
3. To exert harmful influence.

[edit] Anagrams

• pyre

[edit] References

• prey in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913