raven

1
[ rey-vuh n ]
/ ˈreɪ vən /

noun

any of several large, corvine birds having lustrous, black plumage and a loud, harsh call, especially Corvus corax, of the New and Old Worlds.
the divine culture hero and trickster of the North Pacific Coast Indians.
(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Corvus.

adjective

lustrous black: raven locks of hair.

Origin of raven

1
before 900; Middle English; Old English hrǣfn; cognate with German Rabe, Old Norse hrafn

OTHER WORDS FROM raven

ra·ven·like, adjective

Definition for raven (2 of 3)

raven 2
[ rav-uh n ]
/ ˈræv ən /

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

to seize as spoil or prey.
to devour voraciously.

noun

rapine; robbery.
plunder or prey.
Also ravin.

Origin of raven

2
1485–95; earlier ravine < Middle French raviner, ultimately < Latin rapīna rapine

Definition for raven (3 of 3)

Raven, The

noun

a lyric poem (1845) by Edgar Allan Poe.

Example sentences from the Web for raven

British Dictionary definitions for raven (1 of 3)

raven 1
/ (ˈreɪvən) /

noun

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
  1. a shiny black colour
  2. (as adjective)raven hair

Word Origin for raven

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

British Dictionary definitions for raven (2 of 3)

raven 2
/ (ˈrævən) /

verb

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

Derived forms of raven

ravener, noun

Word Origin for raven

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

British Dictionary definitions for raven (3 of 3)

Raven
/ (ˈreɪvən) /

noun

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

Word Origin for Raven

from raven 1