PREY Meaning and
Definition
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Prey refers to an animal or organism that is hunted, caught, or consumed by another animal for food. It is a term commonly used in the context of predator-prey relationships in the animal kingdom. The concept of prey encompasses a wide range of creatures, including birds, fish, mammals, and insects, among others.
In this context, the prey is usually a weaker or less dominant species, which is pursued and ultimately captured or killed by a predator. The predator’s survival and sustenance typically depend on successfully capturing and feeding on its prey. Therefore, the act of hunting and consuming prey is essential for the predator's survival and plays a crucial role in balancing ecosystems.
The identification of an organism as prey is often based on its vulnerability and suitability as a food source for predators. Certain traits and behaviors, such as size, speed, camouflage, or defensive mechanisms, can affect an organism's likelihood of becoming prey. Additionally, prey may exhibit adaptive behaviors to avoid or deter predators, such as hiding, sprinting, or living in groups.
The term "prey" is not exclusively restricted to animals and can also be used metaphorically in various contexts to describe individuals or groups that are vulnerable to exploitation, manipulation, or harm from others. In these instances, the concept of prey extends beyond the biological realm and encompasses a broader understanding of vulnerability and victimization.
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• That which is or may be seized to be eaten, as by a wild beast; spoil; booty; plunder; ravage.
• To rob or pillage; to seize and devour; to rest heavily on, as the mind; to waste gradually; to corrode.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PREY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for PREY
Etymology of PREY
The word prey derives from the Old French word preie or praie, which meant booty or spoils of war. It originated from the Late Latin word praeda, meaning plunder or prey, which ultimately came from the Latin word prae, indicating before or forward. The term gradually shifted in meaning to refer specifically to animals pursued and captured by other animals for food, giving us the modern sense of prey.
Idioms with the word PREY
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be easy prey
The idiom "be easy prey" means to be vulnerable or susceptible to danger or attack by others, typically due to being weak, defenseless, or unaware of the potential threat. It refers to someone or something that can be easily taken advantage of or harmed by others.
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prey on sb's mind
The idiom "prey on someone's mind" means that something is troubling or worrying someone continuously and is occupying their thoughts. It refers to a persistent and often intrusive concern or anxiety that consumes a person's mental focus.
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prey on sth
The idiom "prey on sth" means to exploit or take advantage of something or someone, often in a dishonest or harmful manner. It refers to the act of targeting or victimizing someone or something weaker in order to gain an unfair advantage or benefit for oneself.
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prey on sb
To "prey on someone" means to take advantage of or exploit another person, usually in a harmful or deceptive manner. It implies that the person being preyed upon is vulnerable or unsuspecting, and the predator takes advantage of this weakness or innocence for their own gain.
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prey (up)on sm or sth
The idiom "prey (up)on someone or something" means to exploit, take advantage of, or victimize someone or something, typically for personal gain or satisfaction. It implies the act of preying upon someone weaker or vulnerable, like a predator hunting its prey.
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prey on mind
The idiom "prey on mind" refers to a situation or thought that continuously bothers or causes distress to someone. It implies that the person cannot stop thinking about it and it weighs heavily on their mind.
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prey on somebody’s mind
The idiom "prey on somebody’s mind" is used to describe when someone continuously worries, disturbs, or haunts their thoughts or consciousness. It suggests that something is occupying a person's mind, causing them distress or anxiety.
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fall prey/victim to sth/sb
The idiom "fall prey/victim to sth/sb" means to become a target or suffer from the negative influence or actions of something or someone. It suggests being easily affected or harmed by a particular situation or individual.
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fall prey to (someone or something)
The idiom "fall prey to (someone or something)" means to become a victim or target of someone's actions or to be adversely affected or influenced by a particular situation, circumstance, or person. It implies being trapped, deceived, or harmed by something or someone.
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be/fall prey to sth
The idiom "be/fall prey to something" means to become a victim or target of something, usually something harmful or detrimental. It suggests being taken advantage of, manipulated, or trapped by a negative situation, circumstance, or force.
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fall prey to sb/sth
To "fall prey to someone or something" means to become a victim or target of someone or something negative or harmful. It implies being taken advantage of, trapped, or becoming a victim of someone's deception, influence, manipulation, or an unfortunate situation.
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fall prey to something
The idiom "fall prey to something" means to become a victim or to be taken advantage of by a certain situation, person, or circumstance. It implies that someone is unable to resist or avoid the negative influence or effects of something.
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be/fall prey to something
The idiom "be/fall prey to something" means to become a victim or suffer from something harmful, deceitful, or dangerous. It implies being easily influenced, tricked, or affected by a negative situation or circumstance.
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fall prey to
The idiom "fall prey to" means to become a victim or be easily affected or deceived by someone or something negative. It implies succumbing to or being trapped by a negative circumstance, influence, or situation.
Similar spelling words for PREY
- bur,
- pariah,
- Payor,
- prow,
- Barry,
- peru,
- PUR.PYR,
- Boyar,
- burry,
- parr,
- bray,
- power,
- Byre,
- parry,
- berry,
- bewray,
- borrow,
- pear,
- bowery,
- Beurre,
- Boree,
- bower,
- beery,
- bayer,
- brie,
- Boyer,
- Bourree,
- purr,
- pro,
- pro-poor,
- barrow,
- burro,
- bear,
- barrier,
- brow,
- Peerie,
- Beira,
- pry,
- Biwreye,
- pray,
- bwr,
- boar,
- para,
- Pery,
- bureau,
- biro,
- Piraya,
- bari,
- Boiar,
- burr,
- Barway,
- bohr,
- pr,
- birr,
- Sea-bar,
- par,
- beer,
- bra,
- Beray,
- bare-ass,
- bar,
- bore,
- Pirie,
- brio,
- Per-,
- berra,
- pore,
- Bour,
- pierre,
- t-bar,
- pure,
- Perrier,
- Perrie,
- puree,
- bury,
- beware,
- peary,
- Pirrie,
- Bouri,
- peri,
- Pirai,
- pyuria,
- barye,
- pour,
- burrow,
- payer,
- brier,
- Pari-,
- purau,
- pair,
- pre,
- Borwe,
- pyre,
- Burh,
- Bureaux,
- buyer,
- Bewhore,
- braw,
- bare,
- pro-life,
- Peery,
- barrio,
- Bowyer,
- beroe,
- pwr,
- boor,
- beria,
- Bere,
- brew,
- pre-pare,
- Baria,
- pawer,
- pyorrhea,
- poor,
- peer,
- barrie,
- peoria,
- Brae,
- praya,
- perry,
- brya,
- pare,
- boer,
- Burier,
- Prue,
- Bruh,
- Pere,
- Pirry,
- praia,
- bura.
Conjugate verb Prey
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have preyed
you
would have preyed
he/she/it
would have preyed
we
would have preyed
they
would have preyed
I
would have prey
you
would have prey
he/she/it
would have prey
we
would have prey
they
would have prey
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been preying
you
would have been preying
he/she/it
would have been preying
we
would have been preying
they
would have been preying
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would prey
you
would prey
he/she/it
would prey
we
would prey
they
would prey
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be preying
you
would be preying
he/she/it
would be preying
we
would be preying
they
would be preying
FUTURE
I
will prey
you
will prey
he/she/it
will prey
we
will prey
they
will prey
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be preying
you
will be preying
he/she/it
will be preying
we
will be preying
they
will be preying
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have preyed
you
will have preyed
he/she/it
will have preyed
we
will have preyed
they
will have preyed
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been preying
you
will have been preying
he/she/it
will have been preying
we
will have been preying
they
will have been preying
IMPERATIVE
you
prey
we
let´s prey
to prey
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was preying
you
were preying
he/she/it
was preying
we
were preying
they
were preying
PAST PARTICIPLE
preyed
PAST PERFECT
I
had preyed
you
had preyed
he/she/it
had preyed
we
had preyed
they
had preyed
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been preying
you
had been preying
he/she/it
had been preying
we
had been preying
they
had been preying
PRESENT
I
prey
you
prey
he/she/it
preys
we
prey
they
prey
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am preying
you
are preying
he/she/it
is preying
we
are preying
they
are preying
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
preying
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have preyed
you
have preyed
he/she/it
has preyed
we
have preyed
they
have preyed
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been preying
you
have been preying
he/she/it
has been preying
we
have been preying
they
have been preying
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
prey
SIMPLE PAST
I
preyed
you
preyed
he/she/it
preyed
we
preyed
they
preyed
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