词源是predate，意思是掠夺，例如：
Most Americans consider Halloween a festive occasion, but its roots long predate the United States and its meaning has changed greatly over time.
尽管多数美国人将万圣节视为传统节日，但它的起源却远远早于美国的历史，而且意义也随着时间发生了很大变化。
predat（掠夺）+or——predator（n）掠夺者；食肉动物
