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 booty2 a: to seize and devour prey b: to commit violence or robbery or fraud3: to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect <worry preyed upon his mind>

— prey·er noun