Date

11/04/04

Word

rapacious \ruh-PAY-shuhs\, adjective:

Meaning

1. Given to plunder; seizing by force.

2. Subsisting on prey.

3. Grasping; greedy.

Examples

In the course of the 1650s they became progressively disenchanted with Cromwell's regime, disliking the compromises with the old order and hating what had become a rapacious army that seemed interested solely in its own well-being and future.

--James Walvin, [1]The Quakers

Osbert gallantly defended the reputation of his forebear in his autobiography but she remains one of the most rapacious harpies ever to have plundered the royal coffers.

--Philip Ziegler [2]Osbert Sitwell

The insurance companies responded by pointing to a handful of rapacious residents who claimed they'd lost possessions, even entire floors of houses, that in fact had never existed.

--David L. Kirp, [3]Almost Home

Extra

Rapacious comes from Latin rapax, rapac-, "seizing, grasping, greedy," from rapere, "to seize, to snatch."

Paragraph

I’ve met a lot of rapacious friends who have taken advantage of me monetarily. Life will teach them a lesson eventually but they did teach me how I ought not to be. Being rapacious can lead to greater loses in the long run. One can lose not only money, but also friends, relatives and more important of all, self-respect.  Losing self-respect is the worst thing to happen to any human. Through my bad experiences I’ve learnt to be moderate in everything. I hope my rapacious friends learn this lesson before they lose the most important and dearest thing in life.