Crow

(krō), n. [A-S. crāwe, Dan. krage, Sw. kråka, Icel. kráka, D. kraai, O. H. Ger. crāia, M. H. Ger. krâe, krâje, kreie, krâ, N. H. Ger. krâhe; so named from its cry, A-S. crāwan. See infra.]

1Sense 1. (Ornith.) A large bird, usually black, of the genus Corvus, having a conical and somewhat curved beak, with projecting plumes at its base, and uttering a harsh, croaking note.

The common crow of Europe is C. corone; the raven is C. corax; the rook, C. frugilegus. The common American crow is C. Americanus.

2Sense 2. A bar of iron with a beak, crook, or claw, shaped like the beak of a crow, and used in lifting and moving heavy weights; any bar used as a lever.

3Sense 3. The voice of the cock. See CROW, v. i., 1.

4Sense 4. Mesentery of a beast; — so called by butchers.

To pluck or pull a crow, to be industrious or contentious about a trifle, or thing of no value.

[imp. CREW or CROWED; p. p. CROWED (CROWN, obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. CROWING.] [A-S. crāwan, L. Ger. krēien, kreygen, D. kraaijen, O. H. Ger. chrājan, chrāhan, crāan, M. H. Ger. kraejen, krēhen, N. H. Ger. krāhen. Cf. CRAKE.] 1. To make the shrill sound characteristic of a cock, either in joy, gayety, or defiance. *The cock had crowed, and light Began to clothe each Asiatic hill.* Byron. 2. To shout in exultation or defiance; to express one's self in a defiant, boastful, vain-glorious, or exulting manner; to brag. *Selby is crowing, and though always defeated by his wife, still crowing on.* S. Richardson. 3. To utter a sound expressive of joy or great pleasure, as an infant. *The mother of the sweetest little maid That ever crowed for kisses.* Tennyson. And crowed and gurgled through his infant laugh. Browning.