Sekirov Dictionary

prey

/pɹeɪ/

noun 6
verb 1
forms 4
phrases 1

noun6

•
a creature that a hunting animal chases and catches for its food
- The deer became prey to the lion.
•
A living thing, usually an animal, that is eaten by another living thing.
- The rabbit was eaten by the coyote, so the rabbit is the coyote's prey.
- Stranded without any weapons, we made very easy prey.
•
A person or thing given up as a victim.
- [The helmsman] steered with no end of a swagger while you were by; but if he lost sight of you, he became instantly the prey of an abject funk […] — 1899
•
The victim of a disease.
- He became the prey of dengue.
(no longer used) Anything, such as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; something taken by force from an enemy in war.
•
(no longer used) The act of devouring other creatures; ravage.
- Hog in sloth, fox in stealth, […] lion in prey. — 1603

verb1

•
To act as a predator.
- The ridge had been a haven for birds and small earth creatures, creeping, crawling, and hopping in a little world of balanced ecology where wild things preyed and were preyed upon […] — 2001

forms

preyed · preying · preyeth · preys

Phrases with prey

prey on
To eat (as prey).

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