preyful en · ADJ
Etymology
From prey + -ful.
Meanings
-
Disposed to take prey, or hunting for prey.
the preyful brood of savage beasts
1614–1615, Homer, “(please specify the book number)”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., Homer’s Odysses. […], London: […] Rich[ard] Field [and William Jaggard], for Nathaniell Butter, published 1615, →OCLC; republished in The Odysseys of Homer, […], volume (please specify the book number), London: John Russell Smith, […], 1857, →OCLC:
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(obsolete) full of, or abounding in, prey.
The preyful Princess pierc'd and prick'd a pretty pleasing pricket
c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more preyful | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most preyful | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |