prey
n. · v.-
1 hunted animal (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Sciencean animal that is caught and killed by another for food.
an animal hunted and killed by another for food; the term is uncountable when referring to the category of animals.
ExampleThe eagle circled high in the sky, looking for its next prey.
ExampleThe cheetah relies on its explosive speed to overtake its prey before the target can reach the safety of the dense brush.
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general concept of animals being hunted.
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2 to hunt or exploit (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto hunt and kill another animal, or to take advantage of someone weaker.
to hunt and kill for food, or to habitually exploit or victimise others. Intransitive verb that requires the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
ExampleSome large birds prey on small mammals like mice and rabbits.
ExampleThe predatory lender was known to prey on low-income families who were desperate for quick cash to cover medical emergencies.
UsageAlways takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon' before the object.
From Middle English preye, prei, preyȝe, borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Old French preie, one of the variants of proie, from Latin praeda. Compare predator. Doublet of prede.
From Middle English praien, prayen, preyen, partly from the noun and partly from Old French praer, preer, earlier preder, from Late Latin praedō, collateral form of Latin praedor, from praeda (“plunder, booty, loot”) + -ō (verbal suffix). Doublet of prede.