Prey (?), n. [OF. preie, F. proie, L. praeda, probably for praeheda. See Prehensile, and cf. Depredate, Predatory.]
Anything, as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; anything taken by force from an enemy in war; spoil; booty; plunder.
And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest.
Num. xxxi. 12.
2.
That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be devoured; hence, a person given up as a victim.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey.
Job iv. ii.
Already sees herself the monster's prey.
Dryden.
3.
The act of devouring other creatures; ravage.
Hog in sloth, fox in stealth, . . . lion in prey.
Shak.
Beast of prey, a carnivorous animal; one that feeds on the flesh of other animals.
© Webster 1913.
Prey (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Preyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preying.] [OF. preier, preer, L. praedari, fr. praeda. See Prey, n.]
To take booty; to gather spoil; to ravage; to take food by violence.
More pity that the eagle should be mewed,
While kites and buzzards prey at liberty.
Shak.
To prey on ∨ upon. (a) To take prey from; to despoil; to pillage; to rob. Shak. (b) To seize as prey; to take for food by violence; to seize and devour. Shak. (c) To wear away gradually; to cause to waste or pine away; as, the trouble preyed upon his mind.
Addison.
© Webster 1913.