I. ˈbē-vər noun
( plural beavers )
Etymology: Middle English bever, from Old English beofor; akin to Old High German bibar beaver, and probably to Old English brūn brown — more at brown
Date: before 12th century
1. or plural beaver
a. : either of two large semiaquatic herbivorous rodents comprising a family (Castoridae including Castor canadensis of North America and C. fiber of Eurasia), having webbed hind feet and a broad flat scaly tail, and constructing dams and partially submerged lodges
b. : the fur or pelt of the beaver
2.
a. : a hat made of beaver fur or a fabric imitation
b. : silk hat
3. : a heavy fabric of felted wool or of cotton napped on both sides
4. usually vulgar : the pudenda of a woman
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English baviere, from Middle French
Date: 15th century
1. : a piece of armor protecting the lower part of the face
2. : a helmet visor
[
B beaver 1
]
III. intransitive verb
Date: 1946
: to work energetically
beaver ing away at the problem