Word: raven Part of Speech: verb Etymology: A variant of ravin, from Middle English ravin, ravine, raven (noun). Pronunciation: /ˈɹæv(ɪ)n/, /ˈɹæv(ə)n/ 1. Alternative spelling of ravin. Labels: archaic, transitive Example: [They] aſſaulted by night a certen aũciẽt [auncient] gentleman at home in his owne houſe, which had done thē [them] no diſpleaſure, and being a ſlepe in his bed at their cõming [comming], whan he had hardly eſcaped awaye half naked, rauening and diſtroying his goodes, they ſpoyled his wyfe and chyldren of all theyr apparell, and threatening them ofte with death, left thẽ [them] ſtarck naked, in ſo muche that one of the Nobilitie comming thither by chaunce, couered the woman with his owne garment. 2. Alternative spelling of ravin. Labels: archaic, transitive Example: Her princes in the middes thereof are like vvolues, rauening yͤ pray [prey] to ſhed blood, and to ſhed blood, and to deſtroye ſoules for their ovvne couetous lucre. Example: [C]ertaine young men vvhom they call Giamoglans, vvith others that ſtood round about them, ſnatcht it [the food] haſtily vp as their fees, and like greedie Harpies rauened it dovvne in a moment. 3. Alternative spelling of ravin. Labels: figuratively, transitive Example: [S]he fenced them in their need / With iron-handed Duty's sternest creed, / 'Gainst Self's lean wolf that ravens word and deed. Example: But some characters in books are very real—Jane Austen's are; and I know those five Bennets at the opening of Pride and Prejudice, simply waiting to raven the young men at Netherfield Park, are not giving one thought to the real facts of marriage. 4. Alternative spelling of ravin. Labels: intransitive Example: [T]he ſouldiours not yet ſatisfied with ſpoiling and ſacking the reſt that they found in the ſaid Tailleret, raging about the confines thereof, rauened and made hauocke on euery ſide, of whatſoeuer they could lay hands on, taking priſoners both men and women, which were loden with carriage. Example: [T]he Inhabitants of the Countrey, a barbarous and inhumane people (as generally Sea-borderers are) and inur'd to the ſpoil of VVracks, vvere not over haſty to acquaint the Duke's Officers vvith this, that they might not be diſturbed vvhilst buſie ravening after Booty. 5. Alternative spelling of ravin. Labels: intransitive Example: The couaitous deſyre of riche men is euer vnſaciable. It always raueneth and neuer is ſatisfied. Example: For he [Daphnis] had doubled the number [of goats] he had received of Lamo, nor had the Wolf raven'd away so much as one, and they were all more twaddling fat then the very sheep. 6. Alternative spelling of ravin. Labels: intransitive Example: [T]he Arms and Hands of the Bear, […] are his ſtrength and inſtrument of action to raven and prey vvith; […] 7. Alternative spelling of ravin. Labels: intransitive Example: [B]ecause hogs are commonly rauening for their meat, more then other cattel, it is meet therefore to haue them ringed, or elſe they will doe much hurt in digging and turning vp corne fieldes, […] Example: They passed along towards the great hall-door, where the winds howled and ravened for their prey; […] 8. Alternative spelling of ravin. Labels: intransitive Example: For hovv […] ſhall I knovv thee to be a man, vvhen thou kickeſt like an aſſe, neygheſt like an Horſe after vvomen, raueſt in luſt like a Bull, raueneſt like a Beare, ſtingeſt like a Scorpion, rakeſt like a VVolfe, as ſuttle as a Foxe, as impudent as a Dogge; ſhall I ſay thou art man that haſt all the Symptomes of a beaſt? 9. Alternative spelling of ravin. Labels: figuratively, intransitive 10. Alternative spelling of ravin. Labels: figuratively, intransitive Example: Here's my brother thirsting, ravening to make your acquaintance—and by George! you are in luck's way, young hopeful, to make his. Example: Take your conscience—what is the choice? On one side the great temple where you can gather the good harvest—on the other a dirty little scandal that you’ve nosed out to fling to paper scavengers who feed it to their readin' millions ravening for pornographic dirt.