Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Prey \Prey\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Preyed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Preying}.] [OF. preier, preer, L. praedari, fr. praeda. See
   {Prey}, n.]
   To take booty; to gather spoil; to ravage; to take food by
   violence.

         More pity that the eagle should be mewed, While kites
         and buzzards prey at liberty.            --Shak.

   {To prey on} or {upon}.
   (a) To take prey from; to despoil; to pillage; to rob.
       --Shak.
   (b) To seize as prey; to take for food by violence; to seize
       and devour. --Shak.
   (c) To wear away gradually; to cause to waste or pine away;
       as, the trouble preyed upon his mind. --Addison.