raven

/'reivn/

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Explanation of the Word "Raven"

Part of Speech:
1. Noun: A type of bird
2. Verb: To feed greedily or to hunt for prey

Meaning

1. As a Noun:

   • A raven is a large black bird known for its shiny feathers, straight bill, and long wedge-shaped tail. Ravens are often seen in forests, mountains, and sometimes in urban areas. They are very intelligent and can mimic sounds.

2. As a Verb:

   • To raven means to eat greedily or to feed in a way that shows extreme hunger. It can also mean to hunt for food.

Advanced Usage

• In literature or poetry, raven is often used to symbolize mystery, death, or the supernatural due to its black color and association with omens.

Word Variants

• Ravenous (Adjective): Extremely hungry or eager for something.
  • Example: "After the workout, I felt ravenous and ate everything in sight."

Different Meanings

• Raven (Noun): Besides being a bird, "raven" can also refer to something that is very dark or black, much like the color of the raven's feathers.

Synonyms

• For the bird: crow, blackbird, rook
• For the verb (to eat greedily): devour, gobble, gorge

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• "Ravenous for knowledge": This means having a strong desire to learn or know more.
  • Example: "She was ravenous for knowledge and read every book she could find."

Summary

The word raven can refer to a large black bird known for its intelligence and distinct appearance, or it can describe the act of eating greedily.

Academic

Noun

1. large black bird with a straight bill and long wedge-shaped tail

Verb

1. feed greedily
   • The lions ravened the bodies
2. eat greedily
   • he devoured three sandwiches
3. prey on or hunt for
   • These mammals predate certain eggs
4. obtain or seize by violence

Synonyms

• Corvus corax
• devour
• guttle
• pig
• prey
• predate