n.
Pronunciation: ' pr ā
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural prey also preys
Etymology: Middle English preie, from Anglo-French, from Latin praeda; akin to Latin prehendere to grasp, seize ― more at GET
Date: 13th century
1 archaic : SPOIL , BOOTY
2 a : an animal taken by a predator as food b : one that is helpless or unable to resist attack : VICTIM <was prey to his own appetites>
3 : the act or habit of preying