Hypertext Webster Gateway: "rapacious"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Rapacious \Rapa"cious\, a. [L. rapax, -acis, from rapere to
seize and carry off, to snatch away. See {Rapid}.]
1. Given to plunder; disposed or accustomed to seize by
violence; seizing by force. `` The downfall of the
rapacious and licentious Knights Templar.'' --Motley.
2. Accustomed to seize food; subsisting on prey, or animals
seized by violence; as, a tiger is a rapacious animal; a
rapacious bird.
3. Avaricious; grasping; extortionate; also, greedy;
ravenous; voracious; as, rapacious usurers; a rapacious
appetite.
[Thy Lord] redeem thee from Death's rapacious claim
--Milton.
Syn: Greedy; grasping; ravenous; voracious. --
{Ra*pa"cious*ly}, adv. -- {Ra*pa"cious*ness}, n.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
rapacious
adj 1: living by preying on other animals especially by catching
living prey; "a predatory bird"; "the rapacious wolf";
"raptorial birds"; "ravening wolves"; "a vulturine
taste for offal" [syn: {predatory}, {raptorial}, {ravening},
{vulturine}, {vulturous}]
2: excessively greedy and grasping; "a rapacious divorcee on
the prowl"; "ravening creditors"; "paying taxes to
voracious governments" [syn: {ravening}, {voracious}]
3: devouring or craving food in great quantities; "edacious
vultures"; "a rapacious appetite"; "ravenous as wolves";
"voracious sharks" [syn: {edacious}, {esurient}, {ravening},
{ravenous}, {voracious}, {wolfish}]
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