---
title: prey — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «prey» in the school dictionary: Prey is an animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# prey

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Prey, people, scammers, rabbit, Eagles, Lions · **What happens:** be, hunt, eat, mean, cheat, hurt · **To what, where:** animal, other animals, people, prey, birds, webs

<!-- .vabout -->
«prey» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 9 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [prey in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/prey.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Prey is an animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:m1:1
# text = Prey is an animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.
1	Prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	animal	animal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj:pass	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	aux:pass	_	_
7	hunted	hunt	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	acl:relcl	_	_
8	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	eaten	eat	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	7	conj	_	_
10	by	by	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	another	another	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	12	det	_	_
12	animal	animal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Prey | a animal |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **hunt** | present · passive |  | a animal |  |  |  |  | vn hunt-35.1 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |
| 3 | **eat** | participle |  |  |  |  |  | by another animal | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To prey on means to hunt and eat other animals.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:m2:1
# text = To prey on means to hunt and eat other animals.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	on	on	ADP	IN	_	2	nmod	_	_
4	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	hunt	hunt	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	eat	eat	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	conj	_	_
9	other	other	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	animals	animal	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | prey |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **hunt** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | prey *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn hunt-35.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **eat** | infinitive | prey *not said here* | other animals |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent animal=Patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Prey on can also mean to cheat or hurt people who are weak or easy to trick, like scammers do.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:m3:1
# text = Prey on can also mean to cheat or hurt people who are weak or easy to trick, like scammers do.
1	Prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	advmod	_	_
2	on	on	ADP	IN	_	1	fixed	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
4	also	also	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	cheat	cheat	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	xcomp	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	hurt	hurt	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	conj	_	_
10	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obj	_	_
11	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	13	nsubj	_	_
12	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	cop	_	_
13	weak	weak	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	acl:relcl	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	easy	easy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	conj	_	_
16	to	to	PART	TO	_	17	mark	_	_
17	trick	trick	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	15	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	21	punct	_	_
19	like	like	SCONJ	IN	_	21	mark	_	_
20	scammers	scammer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	21	nsubj	_	_
21	do	do	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **cheat** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn cheat-10.6.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **hurt** | infinitive |  | people |  |  |  |  | vn hurt-40.8.3-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer people=Patient |
| 4 | **is** | present | people |  |  |  |  | weak *property* | tree rules |
| 5 | **be** |  | people *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 6 | **trick** | to-infinitive | people *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn trick-59.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 7 | **do** | present | scammers |  |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The rabbit is prey for the fox.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:x1:1
# text = The rabbit is prey for the fox.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	rabbit	rabbit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	fox	fox	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the rabbit | prey |  |  |  | for the fox | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Eagles are birds of prey.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:x2:1
# text = Eagles are birds of prey.
1	Eagles	eagle	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
2	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Eagles | birds |  |  |  | of prey | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Lions creep up on their prey.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:x3:1
# text = Lions creep up on their prey.
1	Lions	lion	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	creep	creep	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	up	up	ADP	RP	_	2	compound:prt	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **creep up** | present | Lions |  |  | Lions's prey |  |  | vn run-51.3.2 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme on prey=Trajectory |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Spiders trap their prey in webs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:x4:1
# text = Spiders trap their prey in webs.
1	Spiders	spider	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	trap	trap	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	webs	web	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **trap** | present | Spiders | Spiders's prey |  | webs |  |  | vn pocket-9.10 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent prey=Theme in web=Destination |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Prey animals often live in large groups for safety.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:x5:1
# text = Prey animals often live in large groups for safety.
1	Prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	animals	animal	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	often	often	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	live	live	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	large	large	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	groups	group	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	safety	safety	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **live** | present | Prey animals |  |  | large groups for safety |  | often *property* | vn lodge-46 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme in group=Location |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Owls prey on mice.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:x6:1
# text = Owls prey on mice.
1	Owls	owl	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	compound	_	_
2	prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	on	on	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	mice	mouse	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Scammers prey on older people.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:x7:1
# text = Scammers prey on older people.
1	Scammers	scammer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	compound	_	_
2	prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	on	on	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	older	old	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	5	amod	_	_
5	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The zebra became prey for the crocodile.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:x8:1
# text = The zebra became prey for the crocodile.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	zebra	zebra	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	became	become	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	xcomp	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	crocodile	crocodile	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **become** | past | the zebra | prey |  |  |  | for the crocodile | vn become-109.1-1-1 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Patient |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It is coming for its prey!

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:prey:x9:1
# text = It is coming for its prey!
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	coming	come	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **come** | present · progressive | It |  |  |  |  | for its prey | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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