Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Prey \Prey\, n. [OF. preie, F. proie, L. praeda, probably for
   praeheda. See {Prehensile}, and cf. {Depredate},
   {Predatory}.]
   Anything, as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; anything
   taken by force from an enemy in war; spoil; booty; plunder.

         And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the
         spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest. --Num. xxxi.
                                                  12.

   2. That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be
      devoured; hence, a person given up as a victim.

            The old lion perisheth for lack of prey. --Job iv.
                                                  ii.

            Already sees herself the monster's prey. --Dryden.

   3. The act of devouring other creatures; ravage.

            Hog in sloth, fox in stealth, . . . lion in prey.
                                                  --Shak.

   {Beast of prey}, a carnivorous animal; one that feeds on the
      flesh of other animals.

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.

Source : WordNet®

prey
     n 1: a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of
          ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or
          influence; "he fell prey to muggers"; "everyone was fair
          game"; "the target of a manhunt" [syn: {quarry}, {target},
           {fair game}]
     2: animal hunted or caught for food [syn: {quarry}]
     v 1: profit from in an exploitatory manner; "He feeds on her
          insecurity" [syn: {feed}]
     2: prey on or hunt for; "These mammals predate certain eggs"
        [syn: {raven}, {predate}]