prey

prey
noun
[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。
    ■a person or thing easily injured or taken advantageof
    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。
    ■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。
    ■(archaic)plunder or (in biblical use) a prize
    (古)掠夺品，（《圣经》中）战利品
verb
  1. [no obj.](prey on/upon)hunt and kill for food
    捕食
    small birds that prey on insect pests.
    捕食害虫的小鸟。
    ■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。
    ■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.
    这个问题已经开始折磨我。
常用词组
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。
    ■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
preyer
noun
语源
  1. 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
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