mass noun
1- an animal that is hunted and killed by another for food被捕食的动物; 捕获物：
the kestrel is ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey.
红隼准备扑向毫无戒备的猎物。
1.1
- a person or thing easily injured or taken advantage of受损害者, 牺牲品：
he was easy prey for the two con men.
他总是轻易上那两个骗子的当。
1.2
- a person who is vulnerable to distressing emotions or beliefs（情绪或信仰易受伤害的）脆弱的人：
the settlers become prey to nameless fears.
移民受到莫名恐惧的折磨。
1.3
- archaic plunder or (in biblical use) a prize〈古〉掠夺品, （《圣经》用语）战利品。
no obj.(prey on/upon)
1- hunt and kill for food捕食：
small birds that prey on insect pests.
捕食害虫的小鸟。
1.1
- take advantage of; exploit or injure利用; 剥削; 伤害：
this is a mean type of theft by ruthless people preying on the elderly.
这是无情之徒利用老人弱势的一种卑鄙偷窃。
1.2
- cause constant trouble and distress to折磨; 损害; 使痛苦; 使烦恼：
the problem had begun to prey on my mind.
这个问题已经开始让我心烦意乱。
短语
fall prey to
1
- be hunted and killed by被…捕食：
small rodents fell prey to domestic cats.
小啮齿动物成为家猫的猎物。
1.1
- be vulnerable to or overcome by受…伤害; 被…战胜：
he would often fall prey to melancholy.
他常常受到忧伤的折磨。
派生词
preyer
noun词源
Middle English (also denoting plunder taken in war)： the noun from Old French preie, from Latin praeda 'booty'， the verb from Old French preier, based on Latin praedari 'seize as plunder'， from praeda.