Pred"a*to*ry (?), a. [L. praedatorius, fr. praedari to plunder, fr. praeda prey. See Prey.]

1.

Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a predatory party.

"A predatory war."

Macaulay.

2.

Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits.

[Obs.]

Exercise . . . maketh the spirits more hot and predatory. Bacon.

3. Zool.

Living by preying upon other animals; carnivorous.

 

© Webster 1913.

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