Antipredatory – Definition & Meaning

Antipredatory is a term that is used to describe a behavior or adaptation that helps an animal avoid being preyed upon by other animals. It can also refer to measures taken by humans to protect themselves or their property from predatory threats.

Definitions

Antipredatory refers to the ability of an animal or organism to avoid being preyed upon by other animals. This can include behaviors such as camouflage, mimicry, and warning displays, as well as physical adaptations like armor, spines, or toxins.

Origin

The term antipredatory comes from the Latin words “anti,” meaning against, and “praedator,” meaning predator. It has been used in scientific literature since at least the 1980s to describe the various ways that animals have evolved to avoid being eaten by other animals.

Meaning in different dictionaries

In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, antipredatory is defined as “designed or intended to prevent or counteract predation.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “relating to or denoting measures taken to protect against or deter predators.”

Associations

Antipredatory measures are often associated with animals that live in environments where predation is a significant threat, such as the savannahs of Africa or the rainforests of South America. However, humans also use antipredatory measures to protect themselves and their property from potential threats, such as installing security cameras or carrying pepper spray.

Synonyms

Synonyms for antipredatory include predator-resistant, predator-proof, and antipredator.

Antonyms

Antonyms for antipredatory include vulnerable, defenseless, and unprotected.

The same root words

Other words that share the root words “anti” and “predator” include antiparasitic (against parasites), antifungal (against fungi), and antiviral (against viruses).

Example Sentences

  • The spines on the cactus are an antipredatory adaptation that helps protect it from being eaten by animals.
  • The warning colors of the poison dart frog are an antipredatory strategy that tells potential predators to stay away.
  • The homeowner installed a security system as an antipredatory measure to deter burglars.
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