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Where does the word "prey" come from? It comes from Latin praeda, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "prey" come from? It comes from Latin praeda, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Prey’s story begins in Latin: praeda meant “booty.” The root of 'predator' and 'depredation'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as preie. Spoils of war. It reached English by 1200s as prey. 'fall prey to' dates from the 1600s. Today, prey means an animal hunted for food.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient praeda "booty", the root of 'predator' and 'depredation'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval preie "booty, prey", spoils of war.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s prey "booty; hunted animal", 'fall prey to' dates from the 1600s.