raven

¹

[ rey-vuhn ]

noun

1. any of several large, corvine birds having lustrous, black plumage and a loud, harsh call, especially the common raven, Corvus corax, of both the New World and the Old World.
2. Raven, the divine culture hero and trickster of the North Pacific Coast Indians.
3. Raven, Astronomy. the constellation Corvus.

adjective

1. lustrous black:

   raven locks of hair.

raven

²

[ rav-uhn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to seek plunder or prey.
2. to eat or feed voraciously or greedily:

   to raven like an animal.

3. to have a ravenous appetite.

verb (used with object)

1. to seize as spoil or prey.
2. to devour voraciously.

noun

1. rapine; robbery.
2. plunder or prey.

Raven

¹

/ ˈreɪvən /

noun

1. a traditional trickster hero among the native peoples of the Canadian Pacific Northwest

raven

²

/ ˈrævən /

verb

1. to seize or seek (plunder, prey, etc)
2. to eat (something) voraciously or greedily; be ravenous in eating

raven

³

/ ˈreɪvən /

noun

1. a large passerine bird, Corvus corax , having a large straight bill, long wedge-shaped tail, and black plumage: family Corvidae (crows). It has a hoarse croaking cry
2. 1. a shiny black colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      raven hair

Derived Forms

• ˈravener, noun

Other Words From

• raven·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of raven¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hrǣfn, hrefn; cognate with German Rabe, Old Norse hrafn

Origin of raven²

First recorded in 1485–95; earlier ravine, from Middle French raviner, ultimately from Latin rapīna “plunder, rapine”; rapine

Word History and Origins

Origin of raven¹

from raven ¹

Origin of raven²

C15: from Old French raviner to attack impetuously; see ravenous

Origin of raven³

Old English hrǣfn ; related to Old High German hraban , Old Norse hrafn

Example Sentences

Department of Agriculture veterinarian epidemiologist, said there was probably very little risk to public health in having the animals piled up — even if they were picked at and consumed by buzzards, ravens and flies.

From Los Angeles Times

“Look at the ravens. Their beaks are open.”

From Los Angeles Times

The foot has since been removed because of concerns that ravens were disturbing it, according to reports, and passed to the Chinese mountaineering authorities who govern the north face of Everest.

From BBC

The New York Times published a puffy story in June about two wild ravens that Kennedy had sort of tamed at his Los Angeles home.

From Los Angeles Times

Asked what the sound was, Mr. Kennedy paused, then said, “I have a couple of pet ravens.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• pillage