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rapacious

 - 2 dictionary results

ra⋅pa⋅cious

  [ruh-pey-shuhs]
Use rapacious in a Sentence
–adjective
1. given to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed.
2. inordinately greedy; predatory; extortionate: a rapacious disposition.
3. (of animals) subsisting by the capture of living prey; predacious.
Origin:
1645–55; < L rapāci- (s. of rapāx greedy, akin to rapere to seize; see rape 1 ) + -ous

Related forms:
ra⋅pa⋅cious⋅ly, adverb
ra⋅pac⋅i⋅ty  [ruh-pas-i-tee] , ra⋅pa⋅cious⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2. ravenous, voracious, grasping; preying. See avaricious.

Antonyms:
2. generous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To rapacious
ra·pa·cious   (rə-pā'shəs)   
adj.  

  1. Taking by force; plundering.

  2. Greedy; ravenous. See Synonyms at voracious.

  3. Subsisting on live prey.


[From Latin rapāx, rapāc-, from rapere, to seize; see rep- in Indo-European roots.]
ra·pa'cious·ly adv., ra·pac'i·ty (rə-pās'ĭ-tē), ra·pa'cious·ness 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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