Ra*pa"cious (-shŭs), 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 quite from Death's
rapacious claim
Milton.
Syn. -- Greedy; grasping; ravenous; voracious.
-- Ra*pa"cious*ly, adv. --
Ra*pa"cious*ness, n.
