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 ]