n.; pl. Lampreys [ OE. lampreie, F. lamproie, LL. lampreda, lampetra, from L. lambere to lick + petra rock, stone. The lampreys are so called because they attach themselves with their circular mouths to rocks and stones, whence they are also called rocksuckers. See Lap to drink, Petrify. ] (Zool.) An eel-like marsipobranch of the genus Petromyzon, and allied genera; called also lamprey eel and lamper eel. The lampreys have a round, sucking mouth, without jaws, but set with numerous minute teeth, and one to three larger teeth on the palate (see Illust. of Cyclostomi). There are seven small branchial openings on each side. [ Written also lamprel, and lampron. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The common or sea lamprey of America and Europe (Petromyzon marinus), which in spring ascends rivers to spawn, is considered excellent food by many, and is sold as a market fish in some localities. The smaller river lampreys mostly belong to the genus Ammocœles, or Lampetra, as Ammocœles fluviatilis, of Europe, and Ammocœles æpypterus of America. All lampreys attach themselves to other fishes, as parasites, by means of the suckerlike mouth. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Through OF. fr. L. ossifraga (orig., the bone breaker); prob. influenced by oripelargus (mountain stork, a kind of eagle, Gr. &unr_;); cf. OF. orpres, and F. orfraie. See Ossifrage. ] (Zool.) The fishhawk (Pandion haliaetus). [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest. Num. xxxi. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be devoured; hence, a person given up as a victim. [ 1913 Webster ]

The old lion perisheth for lack of prey. Job iv. ii. [ 1913 Webster ]

Already sees herself the monster's prey. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act of devouring other creatures; ravage. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hog in sloth, fox in stealth, . . . lion in prey. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Beast of prey, a carnivorous animal; one that feeds on the flesh of other animals. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

More pity that the eagle should be mewed,
While kites and buzzards prey at liberty. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To prey on or
To prey 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, preys; a plunderer; a waster; a devourer. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Disposed to take prey. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The preyful brood of savage beasts. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Rich in prey. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Zool.) The common lamprey. [ 1913 Webster ]

obs. p. p. of Sprenge. Sprinkled. [ 1913 Webster ]

When spreynd was holy water. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]