Fletcher ( and another ), Two Noble Kinsmen, v

1. prex (preks), n . [A modified abbr. of presi dent .] The president of a college. [U. S. col lege cant.] prexy (prek'si), n . [Dim. of prex .] Same as prex . [U.S. college cant.] preylt, v. An obsolete form of pray . prey2 (prā), n . [Early mod. E. also pray ; pre ye , praye , preie , praie , proie , F. proie = Pr. preda = OSp. preda = It. preda , prey, præda , property taken in war, spoil, booty, plunder, also an animal taken in the chase, prey, game; prob. contr. from * præheda , præ hendere, prehend ere , contr. prendere , seize upon, take, præ , before, + * hendere ( √ hed ) = Gr. χανδάνειν (✓ χαδ- ), take, = E. get : see prehend and get1 . Cf. prede , an obs. doublet of prey2 , and predatory , depredate , prizel , etc., from the same ult. source.] 1. Goods taken by robbery or pillage; spoil; booty; plunder. So the i entred in to the londe, and toke many prayes , and brent townes and vilages, and distroyed all the con trees. Merlin (E. E. T. S.), ii. 152. The rascal people, thirsting after prey , Join with the traitor, and they jointly swear To spoil the city and your royal court. Shak., 2 Hen. VI., iv. 4. 51. 2. That which is seized by any carnivorous animal to be devoured; quarry, as of a raptorial bird. The Sparhauk and other Foules of Raveyne, whan the i fleen aftre here praye , and take it before men of Armes, it is a gode Signe; and zif he fayle of takynge his praye , it is an evylle sygne. Mandeville , Travels, p. 166. Job iv. 11.