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proie

prey

noun PRWAH Rare

Origin: Latin praeda (plunder, prey).

Usage Note

Proie is used literally (a predator's prey) and figuratively (être la proie des flammes — 'to be consumed by flames', être en proie à — 'to be in the grip of'). En proie à followed by a noun is a fixed construction meaning 'seized by, overwhelmed by' (e.g. en proie à la panique).

Examples

"Le renard guette sa proie."

Natural Translation

The fox watches for its prey.

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