Search the Dictionary

for the great length of the upper lobe of its tail, with which it beats, or thrashes, its prey. It is found both upon the American and the European coasts. Called also fox shark, sea ape, sea fox, slasher, swingle-tail, and thrasher shark.

To seize, pull, and tear prey, as a hawk does. [Obs.] Even as an empty eagle, sharp by fast, Tires with her beak on feathers, flesh, and bone. Shak. Ye dregs of baseness, vultures among men, That tire upon the hearts of generous spirits. B. Jonson.

A net or snare; any thread, web, or string spread for taking prey; -- usually in the plural. As a Numidian lion, when first caught, Endures the toil that holds him. Denham. Then toils for beasts, and lime for birds, were found. Dryden.

conveyance, shops, and the like: hence, an obtrusive candidate for office. [Colloq.] The prey of ring droppers, . . . duffers, touters, or any of those bloodless sharpers who are, perhaps, better known to the police. Dickens.

A kind of net for catching birds, fishes, or other prey. Carew.

ld of; to seize and hold firmly; to pounce upon. [Obs.] Who trussing me as eagle doth his prey. Spenser.

The act of a hawk, or other bird of prey, in seizing its quarry, and soaring with it into air. [Obs.]

To prey. See 4th Tire. [Obs.]

A tribe of spiders, comprising some of those which take their prey in a web, but which also frequently run with agility, and chase and seize their prey.

courage; prowess; intrepidity. For contemplation he and valor formed. Milton. When valor preys on reason, It eats the sword it fights with. Shak. Fear to do base, unworthy things is valor. B. Jonson.

Fig.: One who lives by preying on others; an extortioner; a bloodsucker.

The hunting spiders, which run after, or leap upon, their prey.

; to inspect; to explore. O, let me view his visage, being dead. Shak. Nearer to view his prey, and, unespied, To mark what of their state he more might learn. Milton.

of itself; free. Our voluntary service he requires. Milton. She fell to lust a voluntary prey. Pope.

dering spider (Zoöl.), any one of a tribe of spiders that wander about in search of their prey.

; want of food and clothing. And me, his parent, would full soon devour For want of other prey. Milton. From having wishes in consequence of our wants, we often feel wants in consequence of our wishes. Rambler. Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and more saucy. Franklin.

Guardian; one set to watch over another. [Obs.] "Though thou preyedest Argus . . . to be my wardcorps." Chaucer.

The osprey.

The texture of very fine thread spun by a spider for catching insects at its prey; a cobweb. "The smallest spider's web." Shak.

e. Belief in werewolves, formerly general, is not now extinct. The werwolf went about his prey. William of Palerne. The brutes that wear our form and face, The werewolves of the human race. Longfellow.