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单词 prey
释义

preyn.

Brit. /preɪ/, U.S. /preɪ/
Forms:

α. Middle English prahe, Middle English prai, Middle English preȝe, Middle English prei, Middle English preige, Middle English preyȝe, Middle English priee, Middle English prye, Middle English–1600s praie, Middle English–1600s praye, Middle English–1600s preie, Middle English–1600s preye, Middle English– pray (now nonstandard), Middle English– prey, 1600s preis (plural); also Scottish pre-1700 pra, pre-1700 praie, pre-1700 praii, pre-1700 praye.

β. late Middle English–1500s proie, late Middle English–1500s proye; Scottish pre-1700 proye.

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French prai, praie.
Etymology: < Anglo-Norman prai, praie, pray, prei, preie, preihe, preye and Old French praie, preie, also Old French, Middle French proie, Middle French proye (French proie ) living being which an animal seizes in order to devour it (early 12th cent. in Anglo-Norman), act of pillaging (early 12th cent.), flock, herd (first half of the 12th cent.), war booty (mid 12th cent.), food, provisions (late 12th cent. in an apparently isolated attestation as proie ), person seized, pursued, or desired by another person (beginning of the 13th cent.), property (beginning of the 13th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman), hunt (second half of the 13th cent.), anything which has been seized (late 14th cent.) < classical Latin praeda prede n., in post-classical Latin also flock, herd (11th cent.). Compare Old Occitan presa , preza (both first half of the 12th cent.; Occitan presa ), prea (13th cent.; rare), Catalan presa (late 13th cent.), Spanish †prea (second half of the 13th cent.; the usual word for ‘prey’ is presa prise n.2), Italian preda (end of the 13th cent.). Compare prede n.With the figurative uses in sense 2a compare Middle French, French en proie de (1587 in en proye du vice ). With in prey to at sense 3a compare Middle French, French en proie à (1560 in Middle French; now used figuratively). In the biblical use at sense 3b translating Hebrew šālāl spoil. With bird of prey at sense 4a compare Old French oiseaus de praie (plural), Middle French oisel de proie , French oiseau de proie (late 13th cent. in Old French). With beast of prey at sense 4a compare Old French, Middle French beste de proie (late 13th cent. in Old French; French bête de proie ). In sense 5 (which is apparently not paralleled in French or Latin) probably a transferred use of the French or Latin word in sense ‘flock, herd’.
I. A person who or thing which is hunted, pursued, or plundered.
1.
a. An animal that is hunted or killed, esp. (and now only) by a carnivore for food; the kinds of animal, collectively, that are hunted by a carnivore and form its diet. Frequently in to take prey. Also figurative.Now only in singular as a mass noun (whether collective or not).In quot. a1250 in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animals hunted > [noun]
preya1250
wildc1275
felon1297
wild beastc1325
gamec1330
venison1338
venerya1375
chase1393
waitha1400
quarryc1500
gibier1514
wild meat1529
hunt-beast1535
beasts of warren1539
outlaw1599
course1607
big game1773
head1795
meat1851
the world > food and drink > hunting > thing hunted or game > [noun]
preya1250
gamec1330
chase1393
waitha1400
purchasea1450
small gamec1474
quarryc1500
gibier1514
meat1529
hunt-beast1535
hunt1588
course1607
felon1735
ground-game1872
the world > food and drink > hunting > thing hunted or game > [noun] > prey of animals
preya1250
ravinc1384
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > attack by some hostile or injurious agency > one who falls into power of hostile agent
preya1250
sacrifice1697
victim1718
a1250 Wohunge ure Lauerd in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 273 Þu band ta helle dogges, and reftes ham hare praie.
a1325 St. Giles (Corpus Cambr. 145) 78 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill S. Eng. Legendary (1956) 387 Þe honten com hom wiþoute preie, for noþing necaȝte hi þer.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. 4945 (MED) The Tigre his time awaiteth In hope forto cacche his preie.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 4216 (MED) Of him has beistes made þair prai.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde ii. xvi. 102 The goshawke and sperhawk taken their prayes by the ryuers.
a1500 Gesta Romanorum (Gloucester) (1971) 775 (MED) As ofte as he scholde goo to þe batell or ouȝte of þe Cyte to take his praye, The bell schold be rong.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 169 So fall they many times out, and become a pray to vermine.
1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 132 The Crocodiles..run vp and downe to seeke preyes to satisfie their hunger.
1680 H. More Apocalypsis Apocalypseos 83 Their teeth..were very dispatchfull of their prey.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 153. ⁋12 The hungry family flew like vultures on their prey.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc x. 377 Went like eaglets to the prey.
1854 J. H. Newman Lect. Hist. Turks ii. i. 91 Down they came one after another, like wolves after their prey.
1899 F. V. Kirby Sport E. Central Afr. 321 The serval is a tireless hunter, and runs down its prey.
1941 W. S. Bristowe Comity of Spiders II. v. 230 Some of these hunting spiders seek their prey by day and others by night.
1994 Afr. Environment & Wildlife Nov. 47/1 Its prey ranges in size from insects to the piglet of a warthog.
2004 Countryman Jan. 66/2 It certainly does take advantage of temporary, local food gluts, taking prey such as house crickets.
b. Something which is procured as or serves for food (not necessarily or exclusively meat); (U.S.) provisions or rations. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > [noun]
meateOE
eatOE
foodOE
fodderOE
dietc1230
gista1290
victual1303
victualsa1375
preya1382
feedinga1398
pasturea1398
viancea1400
viandsc1400
livingc1405
meatingc1425
vitalyc1440
vianda1450
cates1461
vivers1536
viandry1542
viander1543
gut-matter1549
peck1567
belly-cheer1579
appast1580
manchet1583
chat1584
belly-metal1590
repasture1598
cibaries1599
belly-timber1607
belly-cheat1608
peckage1610
victuallage1622
keeping1644
vivresa1650
crib1652
prog1655
grub1659
beef1661
fooding1663
teething1673
eatablea1687
sunket1686
yam1788
chow-chow1795
keep1801
feed1818
grubbing1819
patter1824
ninyam1826
nyam1828
grubbery1831
tack1834
kai1845
mungaree1846
scoff1846
foodstuff1847
chuck1850
muckamuck1852
tuck1857
tucker1858
hash1865
nosh1873
jock1879
cake flour1881
chow1886
nosebag1888
stodge1890
food aid1900
tackle1900
munga1907
scarf1932
grubber1959
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Prov. xxxi. 15 Fro þe nyȝt she ros & ȝaf prey [L. praedam; a1425 L.V. in Ebreu it is liyflode] to hir homly men.
1683 Britanniæ Speculum 41 [They] satisfied their Hunger with any sort of Prey, as Venison, Natural Fruits, and Milk, and many times with Roots and Barks of Trees.
1829 Fort Langley Jrnl. 4 We now get Sturgeon enough for daily prey.
1860 R. Kennicott Jrnl. in J. A. James First Sci. Explor. Russ. Amer. (1942) 75 The prospect was that there would be famine at the fort... Those remaining were put upon ‘half prey’.
2. Chiefly in singular. Frequently in phrases, as fall (a) prey, make a prey.
a. A person who is pursued or controlled by another; a person who is easily deceived or harmed. Also figurative and in extended use.
ΚΠ
α.
a1300 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 124 At min endin-day þe warlais þai wil be her fort take þair pray.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Judith ix.3 Þou ȝeue þe wymmen of þem in to prey, þe doȝtris of þem in to caitifte.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 269 (MED) Opon þe þrid day, at a toun hamelet, Thomas was his pray, as he to mete was set.
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) 5143 Unto Love I was so thrall, Which callith overall his pray.
c1450 in F. J. Furnivall Hymns to Virgin & Christ (1867) 14 (MED) Lete me not be þe feendis pray.
a1500 Gospel of Nicodemus (Harl. 149) (1974) 108 (MED) Than seyd the prynce of helle..‘Let vs stonde styfly ageyn that we be not takyn wyth the prey that we haue.’
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccxxxj The Emperour setteth forth against them new proclamations, and maketh them a praye vnto all men.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. ii. 74 Her matrones became a prey and prise to euery Rauisher.
1681 H. More Plain Expos. Daniel Pref. p. lxxviii Like to make us a prey to the common enemy.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. xii. 138 The host Should self-abandon'd fall an easy prey.
a1797 E. Burke Ess. Abridgm. Eng. Hist. (rev. ed.) in Wks. (1812) V. 674 Jerusalem fell an easy prey to his arms.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 194 A man who had hitherto been the prey of gamesters.
1894 J. N. Maskelyne ‘Sharps & Flats’ iv. 72 [He] falls an easy prey to the sharper.
1954 G. D. H. Cole Hist. Socialist Thought II. xiii. 362 Communities breaking new ground were in constant danger of becoming the prey of fraudulent financiers and bankers.
1992 L. Gordon Shared Lives i. 5 I was shocked by the lunges of a man in a taxi. Unprotected by family, you were prey.
β. 1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage of Soul (Caxton) (1859) 78 The chyuetayns..yeuen weye to their enemyes and made the peple proye to them.1600 J. Hamilton Facile Traictise 403 The caluinian Ministers defraudis al seik personnes..that thay may be a mair easie proye and acceptable buttin to Sathan.
b. A victim of something harmful or undesirable; a person who is vulnerable to distressing thoughts or emotions. Chiefly with to.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) ii. i. 210 I banish her my Bed, and Companie, And giue her as a Prey to Law and Shame. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 121 The slow creeping Evil eats his way, Consumes the parching Limbs; and makes the Life his prey . View more context for this quotation
1741 I. Watts Improvem. Mind i. i. 26 Given up a Prey to a thousand Prejudices.
1770 O. Goldsmith Deserted Village 51 Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe I. vii. 130 His subjects..were..a prey to every species of subaltern oppression.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iii. iv. 27 An unresisting prey to that inscrutable toothache.
1918 E. Pound Pavannes & Divisions 43 My soul's antennæ are prey to such perturbations.
1947 P. Larkin Let. 14 Sept. in Sel. Lett. (1992) 140 My sister is..a prey to every bugaboo that ever afflicted a nursing mother, from infantile paralysis downwards.
2003 Word May 113/1 Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools..warned that the teaching of history was increasingly falling prey to ‘Hitlerisation’.
3.
a. Something taken in war or by pillage; booty, plunder. in prey to: as plunder for. Obsolete.In quot. a1325 at α. , in a figurative context with allusion to 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > stolen goods > [noun] > spoil or plunder > taken in war or raid
here-fengc1275
preya1325
wainc1330
spoila1340
ravinc1350
spoila1382
pillagea1393
forayc1425
booty1474
trophya1522
prize1522
sackage1609
boot-haling1622
free-booty1623
plunder1647
capture1706
loot1839
sack1859
α.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 4028 Ðis leun sal..Lond canaan al preige bi-geten.
?c1335 in W. Heuser Kildare-Gedichte (1904) 134 (MED) Of his deþ ne telliþ hi noȝt, Bot of har prei hi hab som.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Macc. i. 33 He toke prayes of the citee [a1425 L.V. preies; L. spolia], and brente it with fijr.
?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 123 (MED) Þei feynen hem dede to gete pray of worldly lordischipis & richesse.
a1450 Partonope of Blois (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1912) 2748 (MED) They come with grete pryde And take grete pray on euery syde.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 125 (MED) Kynge claudas was putt to flight, and loste all his harneyse and his praye.
1580 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1880) 1st Ser. III. 308 Exponand..the saidis compliners guidis.., in prey to the enemy.
1641 Declar. to Chas. I in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll.: Third Pt. (1692) I. 529 The Prey, or Booty which they take from the English, they mark with the Queen's mark.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 114 Thy faithful Dogs..hold at Bay, The Mountain Robbers, rushing to the Prey . View more context for this quotation
β. 1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) ccxii. 310 There gadred he many grete proyes, that is to wete, horses, beufes, Kyen and sheep, And ryche prysonners.1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes iii. xi. 191 Where as byfore he was a powere knyght he was becom ryche by the proyes that he had goten and taken.1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Proye, praye, and spoyle.
b. figurative (in positive sense). Something saved or recovered from a contest or trial; (in later use) a reward for righteousness. Obsolete.Chiefly in biblical language and contexts echoing this.
ΚΠ
α.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl 439 (MED) Fele here porchasez and fongez pray.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Jer. xxi. 9 He that goith out..schal lyue, and his lijf schal be as a prey [a1382 E.V. spoile] to hym.
1535 M. Coverdale Jer. xxi. 9 He shal saue his life, and shall wynne his soule for a pray.
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. xxxviii. 2 He shall have his life for a prey, and shall live. View more context for this quotation
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 25 Craving [that] our owne lives may be given us as a prey, if we can speed for no more.
1827 J. Keble Christian Year II. lxi. 42 Too happy if, that dreadful day, Thy life be given thee for a prey.
β. 1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope i. xiv The Egle beganne to flyhe and lete fall his proye.
4.
a. of prey: (of an animal, esp. a bird) that preys on other animals, predatory; chiefly as postmodifier in bird of prey, beast of prey. Also in extended use, of a person: that preys on other people. Cf. of rapine at rapine n. 3, of ravin at ravin n.1 2c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > bird of prey > [noun]
bird of prey1340
fowl of chase1340
fowl of prey1340
fowl of ravin1340
accipitera1398
mittell1457
mittane?a1513
esalon1572
boyter1578
talenter1620
prey-bird1777
raptor1783
flesh-bird1796
raptorial1856
air pirate1885
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > robber > spoiler or plunderer > [noun]
riflera1350
ravenerc1384
pillerc1385
preyerc1390
raptora1398
peelera1425
despoiler1467
spulyierc1475
pillardc1485
ruggerc1485
pollera1513
booty-fellow1530
spoiler1535
caterpillar1541
kitea1556
ransacker?1576
predator1581
lurdan1589
worm1591
scraper1598
pillager?1611
ravager1611
bird of preya1616
depredator1626
plunderer1639
expilator1658
shark1713
depredationist1828
spoliator1831
rapiner1843
ravisher1851
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 142 Uor þe uoȝeles of praye [Fr. oisiaus de proie], þet byeþ þe dyeulen.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 309 Most hote briddes of complexioun and colerik, as briddes of pray, haueþ þe vtter partyes ȝelowe.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. fjv/2 Fawcons and other byrdes of proye.
?1533 G. Du Wes Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Ciii v (heading) Haukes of pray syxtene kyndes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. i. 2 We must not make a scar-crow of the Law, Setting it vp to feare the Birds of prey . View more context for this quotation
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. iii. §8 Even beasts of prey are not such to those of their own kind.
1721 R. Bradley Philos. Acct. Wks. Nature 51 Subject to the voracious Appetites of the Fish of Prey.
a1732 J. Gay Fables (1738) II. xii. 106 Yet this you do, whene'er you play Among the gentlemen of prey.
1854 C. D. Badham Prose Halieutics 157 Representatives of all the raptores, or birds of prey, vultures, falcons, and owls.
1942 National Geographic Mag. June 802/2 The numerous beasts of prey and pachyderms which are found in Africa.
1956 D. A. Bannerman Birds Brit. Isles V. p. v It is a sad fact that several of our most noble birds of prey can no longer be studied in what were once their native haunts.
2005 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 22 May (Westchester Weekly section) 8/1 They encircled the girls, like animals of prey looking for their lunch.
b. The action of preying or hunting. In extended use: the action of seizing or taking by force or violence; depredation, pillaging, ravaging. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > spoliation or depredation > [noun]
purchasec1325
ridding1347
riflinga1350
despoilingc1374
preya1375
spoilingc1380
pillagea1393
shavaldrya1400
destrition14..
pillingc1400
pillery1433
spulyieingc1440
rapinea1450
spoliationc1460
depopulation1462
spulyie1464
depredation1483
despoil1483
predationa1500
pilferya1513
pollinga1513
spoil1532
pilling and pollinga1535
pilfering1548
expilation1563
rapt1584
escheat1587
fleecing1593
spoilage1597
depilation1611
manubiary1616
pillaging1629
plundering1632
exspoliation1634
peeling1641
despoliation1658
plunder1661
plunderage1700
spoliage1806
despoilment1822
the world > food and drink > hunting > [noun] > hunting by animals
huntingc1384
prey1721
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 15 (MED) Þat while was þe werwolf went a-boute his praye, what behoued to þe barn to bring as he miȝt.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 259 Some bestes..fleeþ and voydeþ companye..as fowles and briddes wiþ crokede clawes and bestes þat lyueþ by pray.
a1425 (c1384) Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Corpus Oxf.) (1850) Ezek. xxix. 19 He shal take by pray the raueynes therof [L. depraedabitur manubias eius], and he schal rauysshe the spuylis of it.
c1451 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert (1910) 101 (MED) Grete townes wer ny desolat; þere wat not elles but pray and þeft and brennyng.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cccxciii. 675 (heading) Of the great pillage and proyes [table of contents proies] done by the Chanone Robirsarde and his company agaynst the kynge of Castyll.
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 112/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Ormond..by the dailie inuasions and preies of Piers Grace was almost wasted and vnhabited.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. xiv. 65 To expose himselfe to Prey..rather than to dispose himselfe to Peace.
1675 W. Temple Let. to Sir J. Williamson in Wks. (1731) II. 350 Both Parties will be out upon Prey.
1721 R. Bradley Philos. Acct. Wks. Nature 116 The Otter..whose Prey is chiefly upon Fish.
1787 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) II. 100 The general prey of the rich on the poor.
1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud iv. iv, in Maud & Other Poems 17 The whole little wood where I sit is a world of plunder and prey.
1880 Encycl. Brit. XI. 700/2 The Falcon..is often borne in heraldry... When feeding it is ‘at prey’.
II. A company of soldiers.
5. A company or troop of soldiers; an army. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warriors collectively > [noun]
trumec893
wic897
ferredc1200
knight-weredc1275
preyc1300
legion?1316
companyc1325
punyec1330
virtuec1350
fellowshipc1380
knightheada1382
knighthooda1382
strengtha1382
sop?a1400
strengh?a1400
tropelc1425
armyc1450
framec1450
preparing1497
armourya1500
cohortc1500
cohortationc1500
cateran?a1513
venlin1541
troop1545
guidon1560
crew1570
preparation1573
esquadron1579
bodya1616
armada1654
expedition1693
armament1698
host1807
war-party1921
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > [noun] > an army
ferd823
herec855
drightOE
drightfolkOE
ferdingc1000
gingOE
land-fyrd11..
hostc1290
powerc1300
preyc1300
chivalry1382
puissance1423
enarmec1430
exercite1485
force1487
armya1522
land-force1614
wall1657
ground force1929
c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) 1235 (MED) Horn tok his preie & dude him in þe weie.
c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) 1991 (MED) Alisaundre, þi foo..Liggeþ now wiþ swiche preye Þat he wriȝeþ al þe contreye.
c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) 2591 (MED) Of his poeple þe grete praye Lasted twenty milen waye.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 278 (MED) In the vaungarde were x ml that ledde the pray.

Compounds

C1. Objective.
prey catcher n.
ΚΠ
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John x. 72 To discerne the true shepeherd from ye thefe or prayecatcher.
1982 S. Tugwell Early Dominicans iii. vi. 283 (note) M adds: Unde dicuntur praedicatores quasi praedae captatores (‘Hence the word “preachers”, “prey-catchers”’).
1992 R. Springhorn in S. Schaal & W. Ziegler Messel 290 (title) Carnivores: agile climbers and prey catchers.
prey-devourer n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
a1633 H. C. Falkland in Ionsonus Virbius 1 The prey-devourer had our Prey bin made.
prey getter n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Praye getter or seker, prædator.
prey seeker n.
ΚΠ
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Praye getter or seker, prædator.
1556 N. Grimald tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Duties ii. f. 85 Who with their riches do raunsome men taken by preyeseekers.
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes sig. M.iiiv Whoso thou beest, preyseeker prowd, auaunt.
1999 Times Educ. Suppl. (Nexis) 20 Aug. 24 If you listen closely to each pupil, you can hear something like..‘moon howler/prey seeker/fierce terrorisor’, intoned repeatedly. Charlotte is describing an eagle, Chris a wolf.
prey-taker n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1619 T. Middleton Triumphs Loue & Antiq. sig. B3 The sturdiest Prey-taker that here assembles.
C2.
prey-bird n. (a) poetic a bird of prey; (b) a bird that is the prey of another animal (rare).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > bird of prey > [noun]
bird of prey1340
fowl of chase1340
fowl of prey1340
fowl of ravin1340
accipitera1398
mittell1457
mittane?a1513
esalon1572
boyter1578
talenter1620
prey-bird1777
raptor1783
flesh-bird1796
raptorial1856
air pirate1885
1777 Beauties Nat. Hist. iv. 170 The females of prey birds are always of a superior size, more beautiful and lovely in shape and colour, as well as more fierce, generous, and strong than the males.
1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II i. lxxxviii. 55 Unworthy of the prey-bird's maw.
1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 15 The prey-birds and the wolves are gorged and sleep.
1998 Proc. Royal Soc. B. 265 1663/2 This study provides further evidence for a flexibility in the take-off by the prey-bird in the very first moment of a predator attack.
prey fish n. (a) a fish that preys on other fishes (obsolete); (b) a fish that is commonly the prey of another.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > [noun] > ravenous or predatory
hyena1607
prey fish1899
1899 19th Cent. Feb. 295 The numbers of useful fishes devoured by prey fishes, &c.
1959 Ecology 40 297/2 During 4 nights more Scarus croicensis were eaten while no prey-fish were taken during the remaining 2 nights.
1998 Stornoway Gaz. 31 Dec. 8/4 Rather too late we realised that if the tide brought in prey fish it could also have brought in sharks!
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

preyv.

Brit. /preɪ/, U.S. /preɪ/
Forms:

α. Middle English prai, Middle English praiet (past tense), Middle English preide (past tense), Middle English preie, Middle English–1600s pray, Middle English–1600s preid (past tense and past participle), Middle English– prey, 1500s praie, 1500s praye, 1500s preed (Irish English, past participle), 1500s preye; N.E.D. (1908) also records a form late Middle English praie.

β. 1500s proie.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly formed within English, by conversion. Etymons: French praier ; prey n.
Etymology: Partly < Anglo-Norman praier, preier, preyer, Anglo-Norman and Old French preer (end of the 11th cent. in Old French as preder ) (transitive) to plunder, pillage (end of the 11th cent.), to snatch away (early 13th cent. or earlier in Anglo-Norman), (intransitive) to go pillaging (c1100 in Old French; < post-classical Latin praedare (Vetus Latina), variant of classical Latin praedārī pread v.), and partly < prey n. Compare Portuguese prear (14th cent.), Italian predare (end of the 13th cent.). With the β. forms compare Anglo-Norman and Middle French proier (end of the 12th cent. in Old French). In Middle English prefixed and unprefixed forms of the past participle are attested (see y- prefix).
1.
a. intransitive. To take booty or plunder; to commit pillage. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > spoliation or depredation > commit depredation [verb (intransitive)]
reaveOE
preyc1325
pillc1390
spoilc1400
spreathc1425
rive1489
poinda1500
to rug and reavea1500
to pill and poll1528
pilfer1548
fleece1575
plunder1642
spulyie1835
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 471 Hii wende aboute & preide [a1400 Trin. Cambr. preid]; hom ne miȝte noȝt atstonde.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvii. 226 The king gert men of gret nobillay Ryde in-till ynglande, for till pray.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 2643 Parys with a pepull past into Grese In purpas to pray or profet to gete.
b. transitive. To plunder, pillage, or rob. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > spoliation or depredation > despoil or prey upon [verb (transitive)]
reaveOE
stripa1225
pill?c1225
robc1225
peela1250
despoil1297
raimc1300
spoilc1330
spoila1340
to pull a finch (also pigeon, plover, etc.)c1387
despoil1393
preya1400
spoila1400
spulyiea1400
unspoila1400
riflec1400
poll1490
to pill and poll1528
to poll and pill1528
exspoila1530
pilyie1539
devour?1542
plume1571
rive1572
bepill1574
fleece1575
to prey over1576
pread1577
disvaledge1598
despoliate1607
to make spoil of1613
expilate1624
to peel and poll1641
depredate1651
violatea1657
disvalise1672
to pick feathers off (a person)1677
to make stroy of1682
spoliate1699
pilfer1714
snabble1725
rump1815
vampire1832
sweat1847
ploat1855
vampirize1888
α.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 2503 (MED) Siþen þai spred to prai [a1400 Fairf. spoly; a1400 Gött. winne] þe land; Al þai tok þai forwit fand.
c1450 in C. L. Kingsford Chrons. London (1905) 124 (MED) Þe ffrenschmen come downe with here vesselles into the maryes of Calys in þe servis tyme to have prayed away owre bests.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xv. 330 The nethir end of tevydaill He prayit doune till him all haill.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 183 (MED) The extorcioner rubbyth and Preyeth good men and trew.
1595 E. Spenser Amoretti lviii, in Amoretti & Epithalamion sig. D6v Deuouring tyme & changeful chance haue prayd, Her glories pride that none may it repayre.
1603 T. North tr. Plutarch Life Epaminondas in Lives (new ed.) 10 To prey and spoil the Countrey.
1654 R. Codrington tr. Justinus Hist. xxiv. 336 Having plundered the Towns, and preyed the Fields.
β. 1562 J. Shute tr. A. Cambini in Two Comm. Turcks i. f. 39 The Turckes..went and spoyled and proied all the contre.
c. transitive. Chiefly figurative. To take or capture by force; to seize as booty. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > spoliation or depredation > despoil or prey upon [verb (transitive)] > make a spoil of (something)
stripc1200
spoilc1380
riflec1391
pilla1393
spoila1400
bezzlec1430
peelc1450
despoil1483
spulyie1488
strip1594
prey1596
pillage1600
plunder1643
scoff1893
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. iv. sig. P2v Yet my good lucke he shall not likewise pray . View more context for this quotation
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. x. sig. Hh6 His loues deare spoile, in which his heart was prayde . View more context for this quotation
1623 J. Bingham tr. Xenophon Hist. 7 The Cilicians, abundance of whose persons and goods, we haue preid and carrie with vs.
2. to prey on, to prey upon.
a. intransitive. Of an animal: to seize, kill, or hunt habitually as prey. Also in extended use. Also †to prey of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by eating habits > [verb (transitive)] > prey on
devourc1315
to prey ona1500
raven1530
depredate1651
predate1941
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > hunt (of animal)
to prey ona1500
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)]
shrenchc897
beswike971
betrapa1000
bewindOE
undernimc1175
undertakec1175
bisayc1200
beguile?c1225
catchc1225
beginc1250
biwilea1275
tele?a1300
enginec1300
lime13..
umwrithea1340
engrin1340
oblige1340
belimec1350
enlacec1374
girnc1375
encumber138.
gnarec1380
enwrap1382
briguea1387
snarl1387
upbroid1387
trap1390
entrikea1393
englue1393
gildera1400
aguilec1400
betraisec1400
embrygec1400
snare1401
lacea1425
maska1425
begluec1430
marl1440
supprise?c1450
to prey ona1500
attrap1524
circumvene1526
entangle1526
tangle1526
entrap1531
mesh1532
embrake1542
crawl1548
illaqueate1548
intricate1548
inveigle1551
circumvent1553
felter1567
besnare1571
in trick1572
ensnare1576
overcatch1577
underfong1579
salt1580
entoil1581
comprehend1584
windlassa1586
folda1592
solicit1592
toil1592
bait1600
beset1600
engage1603
benet1604
imbrier1605
ambush1611
inknot1611
enmesha1616
trammela1616
fool1620
pinion1621
aucupate1630
fang1637
surprise1642
underreacha1652
trepan1656
ensnarl1658
stalk1659
irretiate1660
coil1748
nail1766
net1803
to rope in1840
mousetrap1870
spider1891
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xvi. 13 The princes ware like til the leoun, that is, the deuel, redy til pray of mannys saule.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie lxvi. 185 They pray also vppon all Pullen.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xxi. 369 He prepareth foode for the Rauens to pray vpon.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iv. iii. 119 'Tis The royall disposition of that beast To prey on nothing, that doth seeme as dead. View more context for this quotation
1676 B. Keach Elegy Death John Norcot (single sheet) Have we not cause to think the crafty Fox, Will out abroad and prey upon the flocks.
1726 N. Amhurst Terræ-filius (ed. 2) xl. 211 Such nurseries of drones and caterpillars, to prey upon it.
1782 J. H. St. J. de Crèvecoeur Lett. from Amer. Farmer xii. 283 The lions of Africa..would no doubt kill us in order to prey upon our carcasses.
1841 R. W. Emerson Man the Reformer in Dial Apr. 529 Every species of property is preyed on by its own enemies, as iron by rust, timber by rot.
1884 H. B. Tristram Fauna & Flora Palestine 73 The Rose-coloured Pastor is well known to the natives as the Locust Bird, from its habit of preying on that pest.
1957 A. C. Clarke Deep Range i. i. 12 He was also David..alert for the mountain lions that would prey upon his father's sheep.
1976 Amer. Naturalist 110 1105 These baby dinosaurs easily could have been preyed upon by large lizards.
2001 National Geographic Oct. 41 (caption) Asian wild dogs..prey on large game such as this sambar deer.
b. intransitive. To plunder or pillage; to rob or raid, to target for robberies. Also †to prey over. Now passing into sense 2c.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > spoliation or depredation > despoil or prey upon [verb (transitive)]
reaveOE
stripa1225
pill?c1225
robc1225
peela1250
despoil1297
raimc1300
spoilc1330
spoila1340
to pull a finch (also pigeon, plover, etc.)c1387
despoil1393
preya1400
spoila1400
spulyiea1400
unspoila1400
riflec1400
poll1490
to pill and poll1528
to poll and pill1528
exspoila1530
pilyie1539
devour?1542
plume1571
rive1572
bepill1574
fleece1575
to prey over1576
pread1577
disvaledge1598
despoliate1607
to make spoil of1613
expilate1624
to peel and poll1641
depredate1651
violatea1657
disvalise1672
to pick feathers off (a person)1677
to make stroy of1682
spoliate1699
pilfer1714
snabble1725
rump1815
vampire1832
sweat1847
ploat1855
vampirize1888
1576 A. Fleming tr. C. Matius in Panoplie Epist. 115 Either to aske that which was another mans right, or else to pray vpon that which was none of their owne.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 71 He gaue..treasure there, to the Ianizaries and Spaheis to prey ouer.
a1680 J. Glanvill Serm. (1681) iv. 212 No mans Life or property will be safe; mankind would worry and prey upon one another.
1759 S. Johnson Prince of Abissinia I. ii. 10 Regions of calamity, where discord was always raging, and where man preyed upon man.
1843 T. B. Macaulay Ld. Clive in Crit. & Hist. Ess. III. 120 Ferocious invaders descended through the western passes, to prey on the defenceless wealth of Hindostan.
1872 J. Yeats Growth Commerce 264 The buccaneers preying upon Spanish commerce were masters of the smaller W. India Islands.
1926 J. Black You can't Win ix. 111 He..made his living serving as ‘target’ or outside man, for the yegg mobs that preyed on country banks.
1964 R. Silverberg Great Adv. Archaeol. v. 163 Deprived of their bakshish, the Arabs preyed on the archaeologists.
1994 N.Y. Times 27 Nov. v. 13/5 Bandits continued to prey upon trains in these mountains from time to time.
c. intransitive. To take advantage of; to exploit; to make (esp. a class of person) the victim of a particular crime, swindle, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > misuse > [verb (transitive)] > exploit or take advantage of > specifically a person
to prey upon1610
impose1667
picaroon1681
live1712
to twirl (a person) round one's finger1748
to get over ——1784
exploit1838
to play (it) low down (on)1864
to avail upona1871
pole1906
to put on1958
1610 S. Rid Martin Mark-all 14 Brokers I meane and Vsurers, that like vultures prey vpon the simple.
1692 J. Locke Some Considerations Lowering Interest 102 That..the dextrous and combining Money jobbers not have too great and unbounded a Power, to Prey upon..Ignorance or Necessity.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 4 June 1/1 The Sharks, who prey upon the Inadvertency of young Heirs.
1792 M. Wollstonecraft Vindic. Rights Woman xiii. 419 A vicious worldling, who pampers his appetites by preying on the foolish ones.
1861 G. H. Lewes Let. 20 Aug. in ‘G. Eliot’ Lett. (1954) III. 446 She allows herself to be preyed upon dreadfully by the boys—she can't say No.
1882 Sydney Slang Dict. 7/2 School, company of gamblers, mob of sharpers, and those who prey on the public.
1938 Ann. Reg. 1937 74 Those who, in the guise of ‘outside brokers,’ sought to prey upon their credulity.
1989 Philadelphia Inquirer 17 Dec. a19/1 Fears that a serial killer may be preying on the city's prostitutes haven't kept them from working.
2003 A. N. LeBlanc Random Family iv. 39 If the other fellas see you crying..that's gonna be one sign of weakness that they are going to prey on forever and a day.
d. intransitive. To exert a harmful or destructive influence over; to wear down gradually, eat away at. Chiefly in to prey on (also upon) one's mind: to unsettle or worry one continually.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to > exert harmful influence upon > gradually
tire1558
to prey on1666
1666 S. Parker Free & Impartial Censure Platonick Philosophie 27 Zeal is a fire in the Soul, which unless qualified and slaked by meekness and a calm-nature, doth..prey upon the mind.
1713 J. Addison Cato iii. ii Language is too faint to show His rage of love; it preys upon his life.
1768 Adv. Miss Beverley I. 223 His Face..was lengthened and disfigured by the Chagrin which constantly preyed on his mind.
1798 M. Wollstonecraft Maria I. i. 18 Preyed on by the gnawing worm of discontent, with what eagerness did she endeavour to shorten the long days.
1833 W. Wordsworth Composed by Sea-shore 3 How baffled projects on the spirit prey.
1885 Law Times 7 Feb. 270/2 His health was bad, and this had no doubt preyed very much upon his mind.
1894 ‘M. Twain’ Pudd'nhead Wilson xvi. 219 The villiany [sic] which he had played upon his trusting mother preyed upon his rag of conscience.
1934 Punch 17 Jan. 74/1 Simpson, who lives opposite, says it [sc. the house] was preying on his mind.
1955 E. Bowen World of Love vi. 107 Suspicion..preyed on Antonia.
2000 Independent 19 Apr. 11/6 Whether it was the comment that preyed on his mind or the fact that he had been on report..I cannot say.
3. intransitive. Of an animal: to look for or take prey. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by eating habits > [verb (intransitive)] > seek or kill prey
prey1575
quarry1628
predate1974
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (intransitive)] > hunt (of animals)
hawk1399
prey1575
predate1974
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie lxvi. 185 After three dayes they [sc. badgers] haue come out for pure hunger, and gone to praye for meate.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) i. iii. 23 Like an ore-growne Lyon in a Caue That goes not out to prey . View more context for this quotation
1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 83 Nature taught beasts to prey for themselves.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) I. 142/2 Another fox finds the same fields to prey in.
1852 R. F. Burton Falconry in Valley of Indus iv. 41 (note) It becomes..a ‘soar-hawk,’ or ‘soarage’ when it has begun to prey for itself.
1903 J. London Call of Wild vii. 213 Wearing out the patience of creatures preyed upon, which is a lesser patience than that of creatures preying.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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