English Explanatory Dictionary

prey

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. That which is or may be seized by animals to be devoured.
  2. A person or thing given up as a victim.
  3. A living thing, usually an animal, that is eaten by another living thing.
  4. Anything, such as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; something taken by force from an enemy in war.
  5. The act of devouring other creatures; ravage.
  6. The victim of a disease.
verb
  1. To act as a predator.

Pronunciation

prā /pɹeɪ/ En-us-prey.ogg

Word forms

prey preys preying preyed

Etymology

From Middle English preye, prei, preyȝe, borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Old French preie, one of the variants of proie, from Latin praeda. Compare predator. Doublet of prede.

Synonyms

spoil booty plunder

Related words

prey on prey upon predate

Derived words

beast of prey bird of prey easy prey fall prey prey drive prey eyes preyful preyer
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