rapacity









rapacity


adjective

  1. given to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed.
  2. inordinately greedy; predatory; extortionate: a rapacious disposition.
  3. (of animals) subsisting by the capture of living prey; predacious.

adjective

  1. practising pillage or rapine
  2. greedy or grasping
  3. (of animals, esp birds) subsisting by catching living prey
n.

1540s, from Middle French rapacité (16c.), from Latin rapacitatem (nominative rapacitas) “greediness,” from rapax (genitive rapacis) “grasping, plundering,” from rapere “seize” (see rapid).

adj.

1650s, from Latin rapaci-, stem of rapax “grasping,” itself from stem of rapere “to seize” (see rapacity) + -ous. Related: Rapaciously; rapaciousness.

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