| 释义 |
prey
I. \ˈprā\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English preye, from Old French preie, from Latin praeda; akin to Latin prehendere to grasp, seize — more at prehensile
1. archaic : something taken or got by violence (as in war) : spoil, booty, plunder
2.
a. : an animal that is or may be seized by another to be devoured
b. : a person or thing helpless or unable to resist injurious attack
< ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey — Oliver Goldsmith >
< fell a prey to doubts >
3.
a. archaic : the act of plundering
b. : the act or habit of seizing animals to devour
Synonyms: see victim
II. verb
(preyed ; preyed ; preying ; preys)
Etymology: Middle English preyen, from Old French preier, from Latin praedari to plunder, prey, from praeda
intransitive verb
1. : to make raids for the sake of booty : commit depredations — used with on, upon
< pirates prey upon the coastal shipping >
2.
a. : to seize and devour prey
< cats prey upon robins >
b. : to commit violence or robbery or fraud
< gamblers and confidence men, who preyed upon the construction workers — American Guide Series: Arkansas >
3. : to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect
< grief preyed on his mind >
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to take as prey : seize and devour
2. obsolete : plunder, ravage, rob |