Main Entry: ²prey

Function: intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s): preyed; prey·ing

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>

— prey·er noun