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noun
1.
an animal hunted or seized for food, especially by a carnivorous animal.
2.
a person or thing that is the victim of an enemy, a swindler, a disease, etc.; gull.
3.
the action or habit of preying: a beast of prey.
4.
Archaic. booty or plunder.
verb (used without object)
5.
to seize and devour prey, as an animal does (usually followed by on or upon): Foxes prey on rabbits.
6.
to make raids or attacks for booty or plunder: The Vikings preyed on coastal settlements.
7.
to exert a harmful or destructive influence: His worries preyed upon his mind.
8.
to victimize another or others (usually followed by on or upon): loan sharks that prey upon the poor.
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Prey upon
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
Origin:
1200–50; Middle English preye < Old French < Latin praeda booty, prey; akin to prehendere to grasp, seize (see prehension)
1200–50; Middle English preye < Old French < Latin praeda booty, prey; akin to prehendere to grasp, seize (see prehension)
Related forms
prey·er, noun
un·prey·ing, adjective
Synonyms
2. dupe, target.
2. dupe, target.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To prey upon
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
prey
mid-13c., "animal hunted for food," from O.Fr. preie "booty, animal taken in the chase" (1140), from L. præda "booty, plunder, game hunted," earlier præheda, related to prehendere "to grasp, seize" (see prehensile). The verb meaning "to plunder, pillage, ravage"
EXPANDis attested from late 13c., from O.Fr. preer, earlier preder (c.1040), from L.L. prædare. Its sense of "to kill and devour" is attested from mid-14c.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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