Predacious: meaning, definitions and examples

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predacious

 

[ prɪˈdeɪʃəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

describing behavior

Predacious refers to the behavior of organisms that predate on others, often involving hunting and feeding on prey. It is commonly used in ecological or biological contexts to describe species that are carnivorous or exhibit predatory behavior.

Synonyms

carnivorous, predatory, rapacious

Examples of usage

  • Lions are predacious animals that hunt in groups.
  • The predacious nature of the hawk makes it an effective hunter.
  • Many predacious insects play a crucial role in controlling pest populations.

Etymology

The word 'predacious' originates from the Latin word 'praedator', which means 'one who plunders' or 'predator'. The Latin 'praedari' translates to 'to seize or plunder', deriving from 'praeda', meaning 'loot' or 'prey'. It entered the English language in the 17th century to describe organisms that hunt other organisms for food. Initially used in biological contexts, the term has broadened to describe aggressive or greedy behaviors in various contexts, including social and economic realms. Its application has remained primarily in discussions surrounding ecological relationships, with a focus on the dynamics of predator-prey interactions in nature.