[ prɪ'deɪʃ(ə)n ]
■ noun
1》 Zoology the preying of one animal on others.
2》 (usu. ~s ) an act of attacking or plundering.
Derivatives
predate verb
Origin
C15 (in the L. sense): from L. praedatio(n-) 'taking of booty', from praedari 'seize as plunder', from praeda 'booty'.