6 entries under this word
(rā'vn), n. [A-S. hrāfen, hrefn, Icel. hrafn, O. Sw. rafn, ramm, N. Sw. korp, Dan. ravn, D. raaf, L. Ger. rave, N. H. Ger. rabe, O. H. Ger. hraban, allied to Lat. corvus, Skr. kārava.] (Ornith.) A bird of a black color, allied to the crow, but larger; the Corvus corax.
[imp. & p. p. RAVENED; p. pr. & vb. n. RAVENING.] [See infra, n.]
Sense 1. To obtain by violence. Hakewill.
Sense 2. To devour with great eagerness; to eat with voracity.
Our natures do pursue, Like rats that raven down their proper bane, A thirsty evil; and when we drink, we die. Shak.
(rāv'n), v. i. To prey with rapacity; to be greedy; to show rapacity. Benjamin shall raven as a wolf. Gen. xlix. 27.
(rāv'n), n. [Written also ravin, fr. rapine, q. v.]
(rā'vn), a. Resembling a raven in color; black; as, raven locks.
a. Ravenous; rapacious; greedy. [Obs.]