Raven
['reɪv(ə)n] or ['revən]
Definition
(noun.) large black bird with a straight bill and long wedge-shaped tail.
(verb.) feed greedily; 'The lions ravened the bodies'.
(verb.) prey on or hunt for; 'These mammals predate certain eggs'.
(verb.) obtain or seize by violence.
Checker: Prudence--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A large black passerine bird (Corvus corax), similar to the crow, but larger. It is native of the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America, and is noted for its sagacity.
(a.) Of the color of the raven; jet black; as, raven curls; raven darkness.
(n.) Rapine; rapacity.
(n.) Prey; plunder; food obtained by violence.
(v. t.) To obtain or seize by violence.
(v. t.) To devour with great eagerness.
(v. i.) To prey with rapacity; to be greedy; to show rapacity.
Edited by Jacqueline
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Black, ebon, inky, sable.
Checker: Norris
Definition
n. a kind of crow noted for its croak and glossy black plumage.—adj. black like a raven.—adj. Rā′ven-col′oured (Shak.).—ns. Rā′ven's-duck fine hempen sail-cloth; Rā′venstone a gallows.
v.t. to obtain by violence: to devour with great eagerness or voracity.—v.i. to prey rapaciously.—n. prey: plunder.—ns. Rav′ener a plunderer; Rav′ening (B.) eagerness for plunder.—adjs. Rav′enous Rav′ined voracious: devouring with rapacity: eager for prey or gratification.—adv. Rav′enously.—n. Rav′enousness.
Editor: Quentin
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of a raven, denotes reverse in fortune and inharmonious surroundings. For a young woman, it is implied that her lover will betray her. See Crow.
Typed by Josephine
Examples
- Bois-Guilbert's new shield bore a raven in full flight, holding in its claws a skull, and bearing the motto, Gare le Corbeau. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Nothing, said the Jewess; all about him is black as the wing of the night raven. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Paul's hair was shorn close as raven down, or I think it would have bristled on his head. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Whet the steel, the raven croaks! Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Under its dense, raven boughs a glimpse of sky opened gravely blue. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Laurie opened the window, and croaked out as hoarsely as a raven. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- However, Margaret defied the raven, and would hope. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- I dare say he can be harsh as a saw-edge and gruff as a hungry raven. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Her profuse raven locks were entirely unadorned, and her neck, arms and fingers were covered with glittering jewels of every colour. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Shall be pleased with his acquaintance, said Marks, thrusting out a long, thin hand, like a raven's claw. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- I will hang thee out to feed the ravens, from the very pinnacle of thine own castle. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- From the east, a band of ravens, old inhabitants of the Turkish cemeteries, came sailing along towards their harvest; the sun disappeared. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- We visited the fountain the prophet Elisha sweetened (it is sweet yet,) where he remained some time and was fed by the ravens. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- On the top of the churchyard wall is a tombstone, on which are cut in high relief, two ravens, or such-like birds. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Editor: Priscilla