beaver 1
— beaverlike, beaverish , adj.
/bee"veuhr/ , n. , pl. beavers , ( esp. collectively ) beaver for 1; v.
n.
1. a large, amphibious rodent of the genus Castor, having sharp incisors, webbed hind feet, and a flattened tail, noted for its ability to dam streams with trees, branches, etc.
2. the fur of this animal.
3. a flat, round hat made of beaver fur or a similar fabric.
4. a tall, cylindrical hat for men, formerly made of beaver and now of a fabric simulating this fur. Cf. opera hat, silk hat, top hat .
5. Informal. a full beard or a man wearing one.
6. Informal. an exceptionally active or hard-working person.
7. Slang ( vulgar ).
a. a woman's pubic area.
b. Offensive. a woman.
8. Textiles.
a. a cotton cloth with a thick nap, used chiefly in the manufacture of work clothes.
b. (formerly) a heavy, soft, woolen cloth with a thick nap, made to resemble beaver fur.
9. ( cap. ) a native or inhabitant of Oregon, the Beaver State (used as a nickname).
v.i.
10. Brit. to work very hard or industriously at something (usually fol. by away ).
[ bef. 1000; ME bever, OE beofor, befor; c. G Biber, Lith bebrùs, L fiber, Skt babhrús reddish brown, large ichneumon ]
beaver 2
/bee"veuhr/ , n. Armor.
1. a piece of plate armor for covering the lower part of the face and throat, worn esp. with an open helmet, as a sallet or basinet. Cf. buffe, wrapper (def. 7).
2. a piece of plate armor, pivoted at the sides, forming part of a close helmet below the visor or ventail. See diag. under close helmet .
[ 1400-50; late ME bavier, bavour baviere (OF: bib), equiv. to bave spit, dribble + -iere -aria, fem. of -arius -ARY; alteration of vowel in the initial syll. is unexplained ]