See Also: Sea raven(medicine)
raven(medicine)
raven(1)(dictionary)
raven(2)(dictionary)
raven(encyclopedia)
Raven Energy(finance)
raven 1, noun(dictionary)
raven 2, adjective(dictionary)

raven(1) (iou)



raven noun1 & adjective1.

A. noun.
A large black bird of the crow family, Corvus corax, widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, feeding chiefly on carrion and having a raucous croaking call. Also, any of various other large birds of the genus Corvus. OE.
night-raven: see NIGHT noun. white-necked raven: see WHITE adjective.
Sir T. Browne Ravens are ominous appearers..presignifying unlucky events.
a. Hist. (The image of a raven on) the flag of the Danish Vikings; fig. Viking military power. LOE.
b. Heraldry. A representation of a raven as an armorial bearing. E17.
(Raven.) The constellation Corvus. rare. LME.
Comb.: raven-duck, raven's duck [German Rabentuch] a kind of canvas; raven-stone (poet.) the place of execution, the gallows; raven-tree: in which ravens build their nests.
b. attrib. or as adjective. Of the colour of a raven; glossy black; intensely dark or gloomy. M17.
raveness noun (rare) a female raven E17.
raven-like adjective resembling (that of) a raven E19.