ravening etymology

Etymology:

• Old English rafnung "rapacious," originally "raven-like"
• Based on the noun rafn "raven"
• Cognate with Old High German hrapano "raven," Dutch raven "raven," Danish ravn "raven"
• Ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root kreb(h)- "to snatch, seize"

Meaning:

Adjective: * Hungry in a fierce and greedy way * Devouring or craving something with intense desire

Usage:

• "The ravening wolf stalked its prey through the dense undergrowth."
• "She had a ravening appetite after her swim."
• "The prisoners were left to languish in their ravening cells."

Origin:

The term "ravening" emerged in the early 13th century, drawing on the raven's reputation as a bird known for its scavengering and predatory behavior. Ravens were often associated with death and decay, which further contributed to the negative connotations of the word.

The semantic connection between ravens and ravening is rooted in the bird's opportunistic feeding habits. Ravens are scavengers that feed on carrion, dead animals, and other discarded food. Their behavior of greedily consuming and seizing food became associated with the adjective "ravening" in humans.

ravening relate terms

• raven

  Etymology The word raven derives from the Middle English rauen which itself originat

• rapid

  Etymology Derived from the Latin rapidus meaning swift or quick Meaning Mo

• ravening

  Etymology Old English rafnung rapacious originally raven like Based on the noun ra

• ravenous

  Etymology From Middle English ravenous from Old French ravenous from Late Latin raven

• rapine

  Etymology French rapine from Latin rapina ultimately from PIE rehp meaning to sei

• ravening

  Etymology Old English rafnung rapacious originally raven like Based on the noun ra

• ravine

  Etymology The word ravine comes from the Old French word ravine which in turn comes

• rapine

  Etymology French rapine from Latin rapina ultimately from PIE rehp meaning to sei

• raven

  Etymology The word raven derives from the Middle English rauen which itself originat

• ravening

  Etymology Old English rafnung rapacious originally raven like Based on the noun ra

• seize

  Etymology The word seize originated from the Middle English word seisen which in tur

• forage

  Etymology Old French fourrage Late Latin fodrāticum fodrum from fodrus food fod

• devour

  Etymology Old French devourer Latin dēvorāre PIE gʷer to swallow devour Me

• feed

  Etymology The word feed derives from the Middle English word feden which means to

• prey

  Etymology The word prey comes from Old French preie which derives from the Late Lat

• camera

  Etymology The word camera is derived from the Latin word camera meaning room or c

• moon

  Etymology The word moon originates from the Old English word mōna which in turn co

• affinity

  Etymology Latin affinitas meaning relationship by marriage Old French affinité