raven
raven — adjective
1. describing hair that is a very deep, glossy black — the kind of black that refle
describing hair that is a very deep, glossy black — the kind of black that reflects light like a bird's feather.
Naoko's raven hair shone under the morning sun as she walked through the park.
collocation: raven hair
The actress was known for her long raven locks that fell past her shoulders.
raven locks as a variant of raven hair
The bride wore small white flowers pinned in her raven hair.
Vinícius admired how her raven hair stood out against the pale wall.
文法句型
raven + noun (usually hair)
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively to describe hair. Rarely used for other black objects like fabric or stone.
常見錯誤
raven — noun
1. a large wild bird with entirely black glossy feathers, a thick beak, and a deep
a large wild bird with entirely black glossy feathers, a thick beak, and a deep rough call, belonging to the crow family and found across the northern hemisphere.
A raven perched on the old stone wall and let out a loud, rough cry.
raven + verb of movement and sound (perch, cry)
Kabir spotted a raven gliding silently between the tall pine trees in the forest.
Yusuf watched a raven land on the tower roof and tilt its head to look at him.
Unlike crows, a raven has a thicker beak and a wedge-shaped tail.
The hikers saw a raven watching them from a high branch near the mountain trail.
用法筆記
Ravens are larger than crows and have a wedge-shaped tail instead of a fan-shaped one. In mythology, ravens often symbolize intelligence, prophecy, or ill omens.
常見錯誤
raven — verb
1. (archaic) to eat food in a very fast, hungry, and rough way, like a wild animal.
(archaic) to eat food in a very fast, hungry, and rough way, like a wild animal.
The starving dogs ravened the scraps thrown from the kitchen door.
archaic transitive use: raven + direct object
After days without food, the soldiers ravened whatever they could find in the abandoned village.
The wolves ravened the remains of the deer with fierce hunger.
The tribe ravened the roasted meat at the feast, tearing it with their hands.
文法句型
raven + object (food)
用法筆記
This sense is archaic and rarely appears in modern English. The related adjective ravenous ('extremely hungry') is still common.
2. (archaic) to move around quietly or secretly, searching for food or something to
(archaic) to move around quietly or secretly, searching for food or something to attack.
The hungry cat ravened through the alleys each night, looking for mice.
archaic intransitive use: raven + through + place
Bandits ravened along the old trade route, waiting for travelers to rob.
The bear ravened through the campsite after dark, drawn by the smell of food.
Foxes ravened across the frozen fields in search of rabbits.
文法句型
raven + through/along (place)
用法筆記
This sense is archaic and very rarely used today. The more common modern alternatives are prowl or stalk.
3. (archaic) to steal or take goods by violent force, especially during war or conf
(archaic) to steal or take goods by violent force, especially during war or conflict.
The invading army ravened the coastal towns, taking gold and supplies.
archaic transitive use: raven + place (plunder)
Pirates ravened the merchant ships that sailed near the rocky island.
The Norse warriors ravened the monastery, carrying away silver and books.
Rebel fighters ravened the palace after the king fled the city.
文法句型
raven + object (place or goods)
用法筆記
This sense is archaic and almost never used in modern English. Replace it with plunder, loot, or pillage in contemporary writing.