raven

¹ra·ven

noun \ˈrā-vən\

Definition of RAVEN

: a large glossy black corvine bird (Corvus corax) of Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and America

Illustration of RAVEN

Origin of RAVEN

Middle English, from Old English hræfn; akin to Old High German hraban raven, Latin corvus, Greek korax

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

Rhymes with RAVEN

craven, haven, maven

²raven

adjective

Definition of RAVEN

: shiny and black like a raven's feathers <raven hair>

Examples of RAVEN

1. <a black satin dress that matches her silky, raven hair>

First Known Use of RAVEN

1588

Related to RAVEN

Synonyms

ebony, pitch-black, pitch-dark, pitchy, black, sable

Antonyms

white

Related Words

dark, dusky, inky; blackish, brunet (or brunette)

Near Antonyms

bright, brilliant, light, pale, palish

Rhymes with RAVEN

ravin, savin, spavin

³rav·en

verb \ˈra-vən\

rav·enedrav·en·ing \ˈra-və-niŋ, ˈrav-niŋ\

Definition of RAVEN

intransitive verb

1

: to feed greedily

2

: to prowl for food : prey

3

: plunder

transitive verb

1

: to devour greedily

2

: despoil <men…raven the earth, destroying its resources — New Yorker>

— rav·en·er \ˈra-və-nər, ˈrav-nər\ noun

Examples of RAVEN

1. <the rat ravened the poisoned bait just as we had hoped>

Origin of RAVEN

Middle French raviner to rush, take by force, from ravine rapine

First Known Use: 1530

Related to RAVEN

Synonyms

bolt, cram, devour, glut [archaic], gorge, gormandize, gulp, ingurgitate, inhale, gobble, scarf, scoff, slop, wolf

Related Words

overeat, pig out, swill

Near Antonyms

nibble, peck, pick

raven

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of several species (genus Corvus, crow family Corvidae) of heavy-billed, usually solitary, songbirds, once abundant throughout the Northern Hemisphere but now restricted to undisturbed areas. The common raven (C. corax), the biggest passerine, grows to 26 in. (66 cm) long and has a wingspan of more than 4 ft (1.3 m). The dark, iridescent plumage is shaggy, especially around the throat. Ravens eat rodents, insects, grain, birds' eggs, and, in winter, carrion and refuse. Captive nestlings may learn to mimic a few words. The large nest, a crude structure of sticks, is built high on a cliff or treetop.