[pre.da.ceous] or pre.da.cious adj [L praedari to prey upon (fr. praeda prey) + E -aceous or -acious (as in rapacious)--more at prey] (1713) 1: living by preying on other animals: predatory
2. usu predacious: tending to devour or despoil: rapacious -- pre.da.ceous.ness n -- pre.dac.i.ty n