n.
Pronunciation: ' ra-v ə n
Function: verb
Inflected Form: rav · ened ; rav · en · ing \ ' ra-v ə -ni ŋ , ' rav-ni ŋ \
Etymology: Middle French raviner to rush, take by force, from ravine rapine
Date: 1530
intransitive verb
1 : to feed greedily
2 : to prowl for food : PREY
3 : PLUNDER
transitive verb
1 : to devour greedily
2 : DESPOIL <men ⋯ raven the earth, destroying its resources ― New Yorker >
– rav · en · er \ ' ra-v ə -n ə r, ' rav-n ə r \ noun