'To prey on' definitions:

Definition of 'To prey on'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • More pity that the eagle should be mewed, While kites and buzzards prey at liberty. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • To prey on or To prey 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. [1913 Webster]