Prey Meaning and Definition
Prey
Pronunciation
/priː/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A living animal, especially one hunted and consumed as food, such as a deer, rabbit, or fish.
Examples
- The hunter stalked his prey through the forest.
- The farmer protected his crops from the birds of prey.
Synonyms
- Hunt
- Trope
- Game
Antonyms
- Predator
- Prey
Etymology
The word “prey” originates from the Old English word “prēo”, meaning “a thing to be seized or taken”.
Usage Notes
The word “prey” is often used in scientific and literary contexts, particularly in discussions of hunting, conservation, or predator-prey relationships.
Cultural References
In popular culture, “prey” has been used in various contexts, such as in films like “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Predator”, and in literary works like “The Lord of the Flies”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Prey on someone’s fears” means to exploit someone’s fears or vulnerabilities.
- “At the mercy of one’s prey” means to be completely controlled or dominated by something.
Related Words or Phrases
- Preyed
- Preying
- Predator
- Victim
Collocations
- Prey for the wolves
- At the mercy of the predator
- Stalked its prey
Frequency of Use
The word “prey” is relatively common in modern language, especially in scientific and literary contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Pray
- Pree
- Prei