Rapacious (r&adot_;pāshŭs), a. [L. rapax, -acis, from rapere to seize and carry off, to snatch away. See Rapid.]
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1. Given to plunder; disposed or accustomed to seize by violence; seizing by force. “ The downfall of the rapacious and licentious Knights Templar.” Motley.
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2. Accustomed to seize food; subsisting on prey, or animals seized by violence; as, a tiger is a rapacious animal; a rapacious bird.
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3. Avaricious; grasping; extortionate; also, greedy; ravenous; voracious; as, rapacious usurers; a rapacious appetite.
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[Thy Lord] redeem thee quite from Death's rapacious claim Milton.
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Syn. -- Greedy; grasping; ravenous; voracious.
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-- Ra*pa"cious*ly, adv. -- Ra*pa"cious*ness, n.
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