beaver

¹bea·ver

noun \ˈbē-vər\

plural beavers

Definition of BEAVER

1

or plural beaver

a : either of two large semiaquatic herbivorous rodents comprising a family (Castoridae including Castor canadensis of North America and C. fiber of Eurasia), having webbed hind feet and a broad flat scaly tail, and constructing dams and partially submerged lodges

b : the fur or pelt of the beaver

2

a : a hat made of beaver fur or a fabric imitation

b : silk hat

3

: a heavy fabric of felted wool or of cotton napped on both sides

4

usually vulgar : the pudenda of a woman

Origin of BEAVER

Middle English bever, from Old English beofor; akin to Old High German bibar beaver, and probably to Old English brūn brown — more at brown

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with BEAVER

cleaver, fever, griever, heaver, leaver, reaver, reiver, weaver

²beaver

noun

Definition of BEAVER

1

: a piece of armor protecting the lower part of the face

2

: a helmet visor

Illustration of BEAVER

Origin of BEAVER

Middle English baviere, from Middle French

First Known Use: 15th century

³beaver

intransitive verb

Definition of BEAVER

: to work energetically <beavering away at the problem>

First Known Use of BEAVER

1946

Bea·ver

geographical name \ˈbē-vər\

Definition of BEAVER

1

river 280 miles (451 kilometers) NW Oklahoma forming upper course of the North Canadian

2

river 305 miles (491 kilometers) Canada in Alberta & Saskatchewan flowing E into the Churchill

beaver

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Beaver (Castor canadensis).—Karl Maslowski

Either species of the aquatic rodent family Castoridae (genus Castor), both of which are well known for building dams. Beavers are heavyset and have short legs and large, webbed hind feet. They grow as large as 4 ft (1.3 m) long, including the 1-ft (30-cm) tail, and as heavy as 66 lb (30 kg). Beavers build their dams of sticks, stones, and mud in small rivers, streams, and lakes, often producing sizable ponds. With their powerful jaws and large teeth, they can fell medium-size trees, whose branches they use in their dams and whose tender bark and buds they eat. One or more family groups share a dome-shaped stick-and-mud lodge built in the water, with tunnel entrances below water level. American beavers (C. canadensis) range from northern Mexico to the Arctic. Their prized pelts stimulated the exploration of western North America, and by 1900 beavers were trapped to near extinction. Eurasian beavers (C. fiber) are now found in only a few locations, including the Elbe and Rhône drainages of Europe. The mountain beaver of the Pacific Northwest is unrelated.