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Definition of predaceousness - 2 dictionary results

pre⋅da⋅cious

  [pri-dey-shuhs]
Use predaceousness in a Sentence
–adjective
predatory; rapacious.
Also, especially Biology, pre⋅da⋅ceous.

Origin:
1705–15; pred(atory) + -acious

Related forms:
pre⋅da⋅cious⋅ness, pre⋅dac⋅i⋅ty  [pri-das-i-tee] ; especially Biology, pre⋅da⋅ceous⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pre·da·cious also pre·da·ceous   (prĭ-dā'shəs)   
adj.  
  1. Living by seizing or taking prey; predatory.
  2. Given to victimizing, plundering, or destroying for one's own gain: "the most vicious, predacious, esurient and desperate elements of this society" (Claude Brown).

[From Latin praedārī, to plunder; see predatory.]
pre·da'cious·ness, pre·da'ceous·ness, pre·dac'i·ty (-dās'ĭ-tē) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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