I. ˈprā noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English preye, from Old French preie, from Latin praeda; akin to Latin prehendere to grasp, seize — more at prehensile
1. archaic : something taken or got by violence (as in war) : spoil , booty , plunder
2.
a. : an animal that is or may be seized by another to be devoured
b. : a person or thing helpless or unable to resist injurious attack
ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey — Oliver Goldsmith
fell a prey to doubts
3.
a. archaic : the act of plundering
b. : the act or habit of seizing animals to devour
Synonyms: see victim
II. verb
( preyed ; preyed ; preying ; preys )
Etymology: Middle English preyen, from Old French preier, from Latin praedari to plunder, prey, from praeda
intransitive verb
1. : to make raids for the sake of booty : commit depredations — used with on, upon
pirates prey upon the coastal shipping
2.
a. : to seize and devour prey
cats prey upon robins
b. : to commit violence or robbery or fraud
gamblers and confidence men, who preyed upon the construction workers — American Guide Series: Arkansas
3. : to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect
grief preyed on his mind
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to take as prey : seize and devour
2. obsolete : plunder , ravage , rob