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Webster 1913 Edition


Predatory

Pred′a-to-ry

,
Adj.
[L.
praedatorius
, fr.
praedari
to plunder, fr.
praeda
prey. See
Prey
.]
1.
Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging;
as, a
predatory
excursion; a
predatory
party.
“A predatory war.”
Macaulay.
2.
Hungry; ravenous;
as,
predatory
spirits
.
[Obs.]
Exercise . . . maketh the spirits more hot and
predatory
.
Bacon.
3.
(Zool.)
Living by preying upon other animals; carnivorous.

Webster 1828 Edition


Predatory

PRED'ATORY

,
Adj.
[L. proedatorius, from proeda, prey.]
1.
Plundering; pillaging; characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; as a predatory war; a predatory excursion; a predatory party.
2.
Hungry; ravenous; as predatory spirits or appetite. [Hardly allowable.]

Definition 2024


predatory

predatory

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

predatory (comparative more predatory, superlative most predatory)

  1. Of, or relating to a predator.
  2. Living by preying on other living animals.
  3. (figuratively) Exploiting or victimizing others for personal gain.

Related terms

Derived terms

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Anagrams

References

  • predatory” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).