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   prey

   /preɪ/

   noun

   • 1. an animal that is caught and killed by another for food: "the kestrel pounced on its prey" Similar quarrygamekillOpposite predatorhunter
   • ▪ a person who is easily deceived or harmed: "he was easy prey for the two con men" Similar victimtargetdupefoolinnocentgullinformal:suckersoft/easy touchpushoverchumpmugginscharliepatsysapschlemielpigeonmarkdillinformal, dated:juggins
   • 2. plunder or (in biblical use) a prize. archaic

   verb

   • 1. catch and kill for food: "small birds that prey on insect pests"
   • ▪ take advantage of; exploit: "this is a mean type of theft by ruthless people preying on the elderly"
   • ▪ cause constant distress to: "the problem had begun to prey on my mind"

   Word Origin Middle English (also denoting plunder taken in war): the noun from Old French preie, from Latin praeda ‘booty’, the verb from Old French preier, based on Latin praedari ‘seize as plunder’, from praeda.

   Derivatives

   • 1. preyer noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • Y

     4

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