predator

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Any animal or other organism that hunts and kills other nonplant organisms (their prey), primarily for food.

   Hives should be positioned, oriented and protected to avoid predators and ensure survival in the meliponary. A study (pers. obs.) of predators shows that the main culprits in a Malaysian meliponary are frogs and lizards.

2. 2
   noun

   any animal that lives by preying on other animals

3. 3
   noun

   someone who attacks in search of booty

4. 4
   noun

   Someone who attacks and plunders for gain.

5. 5
   noun

   A sexual predator.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin praedātor, from praedor (“loot, pillage”), from praeda (“booty, spoils, prey”).