prey
UK[preɪ]US[preɪ]
n
an animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food
n
a person who is easily deceived or harmed, especially by being cheated
v
to hunt and kill an animal for food
v
to have a harmful effect on someone or something, especially by causing constant worry or distress
Etymology
the word 'prey' entered english in the 13th century from the old french 'preie', meaning 'booty' or 'animal taken in the chase'. this old french term itself evolved from the latin 'praeda', which carried the meanings of 'booty', 'plunder', or 'game hunted'. the latin 'praeda' is likely related to the verb 'prehendere', meaning 'to seize' or 'to grasp'. the semantic journey thus flows from the concrete act of seizing plunder or game to the modern abstract concepts of an animal hunted for food or a person victimized by another.
Analysis
the word 'prey' is a simplex word derived from a single latin root via old french. it does not contain separable morphemes in modern english.
Examples
the lion stalked its prey silently through the tall grass.
elderly people are often the prey of sophisticated telephone scams.
financial worries began to prey on his mind, affecting his sleep.