a. [ L. praedatorius, fr. praedari to plunder, fr. praeda prey. See Prey. ] 1. Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a predatory party. “A predatory war.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Exercise . . . maketh the spirits more hot and predatory. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. (Zool.) Living by preying upon other animals; carnivorous. [ 1913 Webster ]