preyed
|preyed|
/preɪ/
(prey)
hunted animal
Etymology
'prey' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'proie' (also spelled 'preie'), where it meant 'booty' or 'plunder'.
'prey' changed from Old French 'proie' and Middle English 'preie' and eventually became the modern English word 'prey'.
Initially, it meant 'booty or plunder' in Old French/Late Latin contexts, but over time it evolved into meanings related to 'an animal taken by a predator' and the verb sense 'to hunt or to take advantage of'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'prey' meaning 'to hunt and kill (animals) for food' or 'to catch and feed on (another animal)'
The owls preyed on mice throughout the night.
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Verb 2
past tense or past participle form of 'prey' meaning 'to exploit, victimize, or take advantage of someone (often emotionally, financially, or psychologically)'
He preyed on the elderly by convincing them to give him money.
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Adjective 1
used adjectivally (often in the phrase 'preyed upon') to describe someone or something that has been targeted, exploited, or hunted
She felt preyed upon by con artists after the scam.
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Last updated: 2026/01/02 16:24