Main Entry: ¹prey

Pronunciation: \ˈprā\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): 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