prey

 
Pronunciation: /preɪ/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1an animal that is hunted and killed by another for food: the kestrel pounced on its prey
  • a person who is easily deceived or harmed: he was easy prey for the two con men
  • 2 archaic plunder or (in biblical use) a prize.

verb

[no object] (prey on/upon)
  • hunt and kill for food: small birds that prey on insect pests
  • take advantage of or harm: this is a mean type of theft by ruthless people preying on the elderly
  • cause constant distress to: the problem had begun to prey on my mind

Phrases

fall prey to (also be or become prey to)

be hunted and killed by (an animal): small rodents fell prey to domestic cats
be vulnerable to or overcome by: he would often fall prey to melancholy the settlers become prey to nameless fears

Derivatives

preyer

noun

Origin:

Middle English (also denoting plunder taken in war): the noun from Old French preie, from Latin praeda 'booty', the verb from Old French preier, based on Latin praedari 'seize as plunder', from praeda