Etymology Map
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Prey

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an animal hunted for food

Where does the word "prey" come from? It comes from Latin praeda, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
praeda
Latin · ancient
"booty"
the root of 'predator' and 'depredation'
2
Stage 2 of 3
preie
Old French · medieval
"booty, prey"
spoils of war
3
Stage 3 of 3
prey
English · 1200s
"booty; hunted animal"
'fall prey to' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

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.