3 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Prey \Prey\, n. [OF. preie, F. proie, L. praeda probably for
praeheda See {Prehensile}, and cf {Depredate},
{Predatory}.]
Anything as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; anything
taken by force from an enemy in war; spoil; booty; plunder.
And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the
spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest. --Num. xxxi.
12.
2. That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be
devoured; hence a person given up as a victim.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey. --Job iv
ii
Already sees herself the monster's prey. --Dryden.
3. The act of devouring other creatures; ravage.
Hog in sloth, fox in stealth, . . . lion in prey.
--Shak.
{Beast of prey}, a carnivorous animal; one that feeds on the
flesh of other animals.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Prey \Prey\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Preyed}; p. pr & vb n.
{Preying}.] [OF. preier, preer, L. praedari fr praeda See
{Prey}, n.]
To take booty; to gather spoil; to ravage; to take food by
violence.
More pity that the eagle should be mewed, While kites
and buzzards prey at liberty. --Shak.
{To prey on} or {upon}.
a To take prey from to despoil; to pillage; to rob.
--Shak.
b To seize as prey; to take for food by violence; to seize
and devour. --Shak.
c To wear away gradually; to cause to waste or pine away
as the trouble preyed upon his mind. --Addison.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
prey
n 1: a person who is the victim of ridicule or exploitation by
some hostile person or influence; "he fell prey to
muggers"; "everyone was fair game" [syn: {quarry}, {target},
{fair game}]
2: animal hunted or caught for food [syn: {quarry}]
v 1: profit from in an exploitatory manner; "He feeds on her
insecurity" [syn: {feed}]
2: prey on or hunt for [syn: {raven}]
more about prey
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Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
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