raven

n. [ AS. hræfn; akin to D. raaf, G. rabe, OHG. hraban, Icel. hrafn, Dan. ravn, and perhaps to L. corvus, Gr. ko`rax. √19. ] (Zool.) A large black passerine bird (Corvus corax), similar to the crow, but larger, and has a harsh, loud call. It is native of the northern parts of Europe, Asia and America, and is noted for its sagacity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sea raven (Zool.), the cormorant. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ravened p. pr. & vb. n. Ravening. ] [ Written also ravin, and ravine. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To obtain or seize by violence. Hakewill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To devour with great eagerness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Like rats that ravin down their proper bane. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To prey with rapacity; to be greedy; to show rapacity. [ Written also ravin, and ravine. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Benjamin shall raven as a wolf. Gen. xlix. 27. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. ravine impetuosity, violence, F. ravine ravine. See Ravine, Rapine. ] [ Written also ravin, and ravine. ] 1. Rapine; rapacity. Ray. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Prey; plunder; food obtained by violence. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Malagasy. ] (Bot.) A genus of plants related to the banana. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Ravenala Madagascariensis, the principal species, is an unbranched tree with immense oarlike leaves growing alternately from two sides of the stem. The sheathing bases of the leafstalks collect and retain rain water, which flows freely when they are pierced with a knife, whence the plant is called traveler's tree. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, ravens or plunders. Gower. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A bird of prey, as the owl or vulture. [ Obs. ] Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Greedily devouring; rapacious; as, ravening wolves. -- Rav"en*ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. Eagerness for plunder; rapacity; extortion. Luke xi. 39. [ 1913 Webster ]