raptorial

[ rap-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr- ]

adjective

1. preying upon other animals; predatory.
2. adapted for seizing prey, as the bill or claws of a bird.
3. belonging or pertaining to the Raptores, a former order in which the falconiform and strigiform birds were erroneously grouped together.

raptorial

/ ræpˈtɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. (of the feet of birds) adapted for seizing prey
2. (esp of birds) feeding on prey; predatory
3. of or relating to birds of prey

Word History and Origins

Origin of raptorial¹

1815–25; < Latin raptōr- (stem of raptor raptor ) + -ial

Word History and Origins

Origin of raptorial¹

C19: from Latin raptor a robber, from rapere to snatch

Example Sentences

The team also examined owl and raptorial predators however while the effects were the same, they were not as evident.

From Science Daily

In either case, we clearly have underestimated the abilities of those big, beady, raptorial eyes.

From Scientific American

But its body size and structure also suggest that the Coronodon wasn’t very good at this so-called raptorial feeding.

From The Verge

Thirty-three out of 34 of these contests escalated to striking with the raptorial appendages.

From Science Magazine

They have two abdominal appendages that allow them to suspend their bodies below the water’s surface, a hardy beak for invading the bodies of prey, and large raptorial legs covered in spines.

From The Verge

Related Words

• greedy
• marauding
• rapacious
• voracious