Antonyms for ravens


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : rey-vuh n
Phonetic Transcription : ˈreɪ vən


Definition of ravens

Origin :
  • Old English hræfn (Mercian), hrefn; hræfn (Northumbrian, West Saxon), from Proto-Germanic *khrabanas (cf. Old Norse hrafn, Danish ravn, Dutch raaf, Old High German hraban, German Rabe "raven," Old English hroc "rook"), from PIE root *ker-, imitative of harsh sounds (cf. Latin crepare "to creak, clatter," cornix "crow," corvus "raven;" Greek korax "raven," korone "crow;" Old Church Slavonic kruku "raven;" Lithuanian krauklys "crow").
  • Raven mythology shows considerable homogeneity throughout the whole area [northern regions of the northern hemisphere] in spite of differences in detail. The Raven peeps forth from the mists of time and the thickets of mythology, as a bird of slaughter, a storm bird, a sun and fire bird, a messenger, an oracular figure and a craftsman or culture hero. [Edward A. Armstrong, "The Folklore of Birds," 1958]
  • Old English also used hræmn, hremm. The raven standard was the flag of the Danish Vikings. The Quran connects the raven with Cain's murder of Abel; but in Christianity the bird plays a positive role in the stories of St. Benedict, St. Paul the Hermit, St. Vincent, etc. It was anciently believed to live to great old age, but the ancients also believed it wanting in parental care. The vikings, like Noah, were said to have used the raven to discover land. "When uncertain of their course they let one loose, and steered the vessel in his track, deeming that the land lay in the direction of his flight; if he returned to the ship, it was supposed to be at a distance" [Charles Swainson, "The Folk Lore and Provincial Names of British Birds," London, 1886].
  • As in plunder : noun something stolen
  • As in prey : noun target of attack
  • As in stormy petrel : noun bird of ill omen
  • As in glut : verb choke; oversupply
Example sentences :
  • Uncas, come this way, lad, and let the ravens settle upon the Mingo.
  • Extract from : « The Last of the Mohicans » by James Fenimore Cooper
  • "Hello yourself and see how you like it," the mascot of the Ravens called down.
  • Extract from : « Pee-wee Harris » by Percy Keese Fitzhugh
  • I never saw any Ravens in this country, and if there be any they must be very rare.
  • Extract from : « The History of Louisiana » by Le Page Du Pratz
  • The story of these buildings is the story of the Ravens, so old and yet so new.
  • Extract from : « Lotus Buds » by Amy Carmichael
  • The thought was like ravens flapping their black wings on her brain.
  • Extract from : « The Manxman » by Hall Caine
  • And Gerda told the princess all her story, and of what the ravens had done to help her.
  • Extract from : « Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17) » by Various
  • Thus did the secret order of the "Ravens and Serpents" have its birth.
  • Extract from : « Highacres » by Jane Abbott
  • Not one of the unsuspecting Ravens guessed what Gyp had in mind!
  • Extract from : « Highacres » by Jane Abbott
  • Now that the Ravens faced the fulfillment of their plans they felt a little nervous.
  • Extract from : « Highacres » by Jane Abbott
  • The Ravens, who were in the group, suddenly looked at one another.
  • Extract from : « Highacres » by Jane Abbott

Synonyms for ravens

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019