Prey



GRE Barron TOEFL 考研

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n. 被捕食的动物
• ［英］ n. 被捕食的动物 ( an animal taken by a predator as food)
• ［例］ The lion seized its prey and ate it.

Webster Collegiate

I. noun (plural prey; also preys)

• Etymology: Middle English preie, from Anglo-French, from Latin praeda; akin to Latin prehendere to grasp, seize — more at get
• Date: 13th century
• 1. archaic spoil, booty
• 2.
  • a. an animal taken by a predator as food
  • b. one that is helpless or unable to resist attack ; victim <was prey to his own appetites>
• 3. the act or habit of preying

II. intransitive verb (preyed; preying)

• Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French preier, from Latin praedari, from praeda
• Date: 14th century
• 1. to make raids for the sake of booty
• 2.
  • a. to seize and devour prey
  • b. to commit violence or robbery or fraud
• 3. to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect <worry preyed upon his mind>
• ? preyer noun

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