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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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