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rapacious |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Rapacious \Rapa"cious\, a. [L. rapax -acis, from rapere to seize and carry off to snatch away See {Rapid}.] 1. Given to plunder; disposed or accustomed to seize by violence; seizing by force. `` The downfall of the rapacious and licentious Knights Templar.'' --Motley. 2. Accustomed to seize food; subsisting on prey, or animals seized by violence; as a tiger is a rapacious animal; a rapacious bird. 3. Avaricious; grasping; extortionate; also greedy; ravenous; voracious; as rapacious usurers; a rapacious appetite. [Thy Lord] redeem thee from Death's rapacious claim --Milton. Syn: Greedy; grasping; ravenous; voracious. -- {Ra*pa"cious*ly}, adv -- {Ra*pa"cious*ness}, n. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: rapacious adj 1: living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey; "a predatory bird"; "the rapacious wolf"; "raptorial birds"; "ravening wolves"; "a vulturine taste for offal" [syn: {predatory}, {raptorial}, {ravening}, {vulturine}, {vulturous}] 2: excessively greedy and grasping; "a rapacious divorcee on the prowl"; "ravening creditors"; "paying taxes to voracious governments" [syn: {ravening}, {voracious}] 3: devouring or craving food in great quantities; "edacious vultures"; "a rapacious appetite"; "ravenous as wolves"; "voracious sharks" [syn: {edacious}, {esurient}, {ravening}, {ravenous}, {voracious}, {wolfish}]
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