[ra.ven] n [ME, fr. OE hraefn; akin to OHG hraban raven, L corvus, Gk korax] (bef. 12c): a large glossy black corvine bird (Corvus corax) of Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and America
[2]raven adj (1634): shiny and black like a raven's feathers "~ hair" [3]rav.en vb rav.ened ; rav.en.ing [MF raviner to rush, take by force, fr. ravine rapine] vt (1530) 1: to devour greedily
2: despoil "men ... ~ the earth, destroying its resources --New Yorker" ~ vi 1: to feed greedily
2: to prowl for food: prey
3: plunder -- rav.en.er n