Are ravens particularly hungry birds?
2007-11-20 02:31:47 · 8 answers · asked by jollyboy booboo 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
First, the words are totally unrelated. The name of the bird comes from a Germanic root, the adjective "ravenous" from an entirely different Latin root.
Check the following entries from the "Online Etymology Dictionary". Notice esp the entry for "ravening" --reatled to "ravenous", with its specific note
"not eytmologically related to raven (n)"
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=raven
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=ravenous&searchmode=none
As for the nature of these birds. They are not specifically famous for their appetite, but more for their NOISY caw and misbehavior (they are relatives of the crow), and because of these features, perhaps also their dark lustrous feathers -- are associated with mystery and mischief.
(Notice the quote from OED in the etymological entry above.)
2007-11-20 06:31:23 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ravenous Definition
2016-09-28 02:36:40 · answer #2 · answered by schugmann 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ravenous, furiously voracious ; eager for gratification.
Raven, to devour with eagerness ; to obtain by violence ;
to prey with rapacity : prey ; plunder ; rapine.
Words from a dictionary written in 1880.
Raven, a large bird of the crow family : as black as a raven.
There is no evidence in this old dictionary to say that the word ravenous has come from the word raven.
....But have you thought about this, could the bird the raven have been named from the word ravenous. ? ? ?
2007-11-20 03:04:54 · answer #3 · answered by Blonde hootie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically speaking, the word "ravenous" does not come from the word "raven," but it might as well.
rav·en·ous [ rávvənəss ]
adjective
Definition:
1. hungry: extremely hungry
2. greedy for something: greedy for something, especially for the gratification of wants or desires
3. predatory: voracious and predatory
2007-11-20 02:43:44 · answer #4 · answered by harry_potter_unfortunate_events 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the dictionary says that it originates from that word and ravens are really greedy birds, so, yes, it does come from the word raven....
2007-11-20 02:38:58 · answer #5 · answered by so_what? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. It comes from the latin or 15th century french verb "raviner" meaning to seize or plunder. The French language is based on Latin. I think that ravens have the same appetite other birds have according to their size.
2007-11-20 02:45:07 · answer #6 · answered by jennys.doghouse 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's Latin ancestor is "rapina" meaning "to plunder" - ravens are particularly noted for their scavenging abilities.
2007-11-20 02:37:28 · answer #7 · answered by Adam M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont think so
2007-11-20 03:07:05 · answer #8 · answered by sweety 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋