corvine

[ kawr-vahyn, -vin ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or resembling a crow.
2. belonging or pertaining to the Corvidae, a family of birds including the crows, ravens, and jays.

corvine

/ ˈkɔːvaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a crow
2. of, relating to, or belonging to the passerine bird family Corvidae, which includes the crows, raven, rook, jackdaw, magpies, and jays

Word History and Origins

Origin of corvine¹

1650–60; < Latin corvīnus, equivalent to corv ( us ) raven + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of corvine¹

C17: from Latin corvīnus raven-like, from corvus a raven

Example Sentences

He went to the king of crows, and begged that his corvine majesty would be pleased to allow one thousand of his black subjects to accompany him on a certain day to a certain place.

From Project Gutenberg

Bill corvine in shape; culmen rounded; nostrils near base of upper mandible and hidden by bristly feathers; tail feathers twelve.

From Project Gutenberg

These very long sticks were so slender and dry that the bird was able to lift and to fly with them; therefore, to his corvine mind, they were suitable for his purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

In the long struggle between human ingenuity and corvine sagacity, it is doubtful which has thus far obtained the upper hand.

From Project Gutenberg

No one could say of this bird that it carried out the corvine principle, and—             ”—died as slow, As the morning mists down the hill that go.”

From Project Gutenberg