I. ˈprā noun
( 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
II. intransitive verb
( preyed ; prey·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French preier, from Latin praedari, from praeda
Date: 14th century
1. : to make raids for the sake of booty
2.
a. : to seize and devour prey
b. : to commit violence or robbery or fraud
3. : to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect
worry prey ed upon his mind
• prey·er noun