First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1prey
noun \ˈprā\
: an animal that is hunted or killed by another animal for food
: someone who is easily harmed or affected in a bad way by someone or something
plural prey also preys
Full Definition of PREY
2
a : an animal taken by a predator as food b : one that is helpless or unable to resist attack : victim <was prey to his own appetites>
3
: the act or habit of preying
See prey defined for English-language learners
See prey defined for kids
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Origin of PREY
Middle English preie, from Anglo-French, from Latin praeda; akin to Latin prehendere to grasp, seize — more at get
Other Zoology Terms
Rhymes with PREY
a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea
2prey
verb
preyedprey·ing
Definition of PREY
intransitive verb
1
: to make raids for the sake of booty
2
a : to seize and devour prey b : to commit violence or robbery or fraud
3
: to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect <worry preyed upon his mind>
— prey·er noun
See prey defined for English-language learners
Origin of PREY
Middle English, from Anglo-French preier, from Latin praedari, from praeda
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Zoology Terms
PREY Defined for Kids
1prey
noun \ˈprā\
Definition of PREY for Kids
1
: an animal that is hunted or killed by another animal for food
2
: a person that is helpless and unable to escape attack : victim
2prey
verb
preyedprey·ing
Definition of PREY for Kids
1
: to hunt and kill for food <The dogs survived by preying on small game.>
2
: to have a harmful effect <Fears prey on my mind.>
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