Preyed: meaning, definitions and examples

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preyed

 

[ prษ›ษชd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

hunting or attacking

The term 'preyed' is the past tense of the verb 'prey,' which refers to the act of hunting or attacking another creature for food or dominance. It is primarily used in a biological or ecological context, wherein one animal hunts another. This term can also have a figurative use, where it describes someone taking advantage of another's vulnerability. In a broader sense, it suggests an action where one entity exploits another for personal gain or survival. The concept of predation is fundamental in understanding food chains and ecosystems.

Synonyms

attacked, exploited, hunted.

Examples of usage

  • The lion preyed on the gazelle.
  • He felt that others preyed on his insecurities.
  • Predators often prey on the weak and sick.
  • The hawk preyed upon small rodents.

Translations

Translations of the word "preyed" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น predado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคถเคฟเค•เคพเคฐ เค•เคฟเคฏเคพ เค—เคฏเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช beutet

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ diburu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะปัŽะฒะฐะฒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ upolowany

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆ•้ฃŸใ•ใ‚ŒใŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท prรฉdatรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cazado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท avlanmฤฑลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์‚ฌ๋ƒฅ๋‹นํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชู… ุงุตุทูŠุงุฏู‡

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ulovenรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ulovenรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ŒŽๆ€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ulovljen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ veiddur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐัƒะปะฐัƒะดะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒœแƒแƒ“แƒ˜แƒ แƒแƒ‘แƒแƒจแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tutulmuลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cazado

Etymology

The word 'prey' comes from the Latin term 'praeda,' meaning 'that which is seized,' from the verb 'praedari,' which means 'to plunder' or 'to loot.' It entered English in the late Middle Ages, primarily used in the context of animals that are hunted and consumed by predators. Over the centuries, the word evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings, including figurative uses that describe situations where one party takes advantage of another. With the rise of ecological studies, the term has also been closely tied to the dynamics of predator-prey relationships within various ecosystems, highlighting the natural processes of survival and competition among species.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,958, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.