prey
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Middle English, from Old French preie, one of the variants of proie, from Latin praeda. Compare predator.
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
prey (uncountable)
- (archaic) Anything, as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; anything taken by force from an enemy in war; spoil; booty; plunder.
- That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be devoured; hence, a person given up as a victim.
- 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.
Translations [edit]
booty, anything taken by force
that which may be seized by animals
ravage
Verb [edit]
prey (third-person singular simple present preys, present participle preying, simple past and past participle preyed)
- (with on) To victimize, hunt, attack or plunder.
- (with on) To devour.
- (with on) To exert harmful influence.
Derived terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
References [edit]
- prey in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
