n.
an animal hunted and killed by another for food.
▸a victim or quarry.
▸archaic plunder or (in biblical use) a prize.
v.
(
prey on/upon)
- hunt and kill for food.
- exploit or injure.
▸cause constant distress to:
the problem had begun to prey on my mind.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: the noun from OFr. preie, from L. praeda ‘booty’, the verb from OFr. preier, based on L. praedari ‘seize as plunder’, from praeda.