zsákmányok

Zsákmányok is a Hungarian term meaning prey or spoils acquired through predation, hunting, or raiding. It is the plural form of zsákmány. Depending on context, zsákmányok can refer to animals captured and consumed by predators or to goods seized during conflict or raids. In everyday speech, the singular zsákmány is more common when referring to a single item.

In ecology and zoology, zsákmány describes prey animals that predators hunt and feed on. The term is commonly used with the name of the predator, for example zsákmányállat meaning “prey animal.” It is used to discuss energy flow in food webs, predator–prey dynamics, and observations of feeding behavior. The plural zsákmányok can denote multiple prey items within a study or field observation.

In historical and military contexts, zsákmányok denotes spoils taken from enemies, conquered territories, or raided shipments. This sense is frequent in historical writing, archaeology, and discussions of piracy or warfare, where the word emphasizes material wealth acquired through force rather than living prey. The phrase can also appear in legal or ethical discussions about looting and property rights.

Etymology and usage: The precise origin of zsákmány is uncertain; it appears in medieval Hungarian with meanings related to captured goods or prey. In modern Hungarian, the term is mainly used in ecological and historical senses; context usually clarifies whether it refers to animal prey or to looted goods.