Main Entry:

³rav·en

Pronunciation:

\ˈra-vən\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

rav·ened; rav·en·ing \ˈra-və-niŋ, ˈrav-niŋ\

Etymology:

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

Date:

1530

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