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.
redeem thee quite from Death's rapacious claim Milton.
Syn. — Greedy; grasping; ravenous; voracious.
— Ra‐pa″cious‐ly, adv. — Ra‐pa″cious‐ness, n.