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prey |
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}]
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