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, adjectiveWords nearby raven
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
2Definition 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
- a shiny black colour
- (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, nounWord 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