a. [ L. rapax, -acis, from rapere to seize and carry off, to snatch away. See Rapid. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Given to plunder; disposed or accustomed to seize by violence; seizing by force. “ The downfall of the rapacious and licentious Knights Templar.” Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Accustomed to seize food; subsisting on prey, or animals seized by violence; as, a tiger is a rapacious animal; a rapacious bird. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Avaricious; grasping; extortionate; also, greedy; ravenous; voracious; as, rapacious usurers; a rapacious appetite. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Thy Lord ] redeem thee quite from Death's rapacious claim Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Greedy; grasping; ravenous; voracious. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Ra*pa"cious*ly, adv. -- Ra*pa"cious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]