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

1archaic : spoil, booty2 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