Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
adjective
- given to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed.
- inordinately greedy; predatory; extortionate: a rapacious disposition.
- (of animals) subsisting by the capture of living prey; predacious.
adjective
- practising pillage or rapine
- greedy or grasping
- (of animals, esp birds) subsisting by catching living prey
1650s, from Latin rapaci-, stem of rapax “grasping,” itself from stem of rapere “to seize” (see rapacity) + -ous. Related: Rapaciously; rapaciousness.