The word "raven" is spelled with five letters: r-a-v-e-n. When pronounced, the first letter "r" is produced with a voiced alveolar trill sound. The second letter "a" is pronounced with an open front unrounded vowel sound. The third letter "v" is pronounced with a voiced labiodental fricative sound. The fourth letter "e" is pronounced with a close-mid front unrounded vowel sound. Finally, the fifth letter "n" is pronounced with a voiced alveolar nasal sound. Together, these sounds create the word "raven."
Raven is a noun that refers to a large, black bird belonging to the genus Corvus and family Corvidae. It is typically characterized by its glossy black feathers, a stout body, a slightly curved bill, and a long, wedge-shaped tail. Ravens are widely distributed across the northern hemisphere, including regions of Europe, Asia, and North America.
These birds are known for their intelligence and adaptability, often displaying problem-solving skills. They are highly vocal, producing a wide range of calls, including an unmistakable harsh croaking sound. Ravens are also renowned for their ability to mimic the sounds of other animals and even human speech.
In folklore and mythology, ravens have often been associated with mystery, wisdom, and foreboding. They are frequently portrayed as symbols of death or omens, and their appearance is sometimes interpreted as a harbinger of impending doom.
Ravens are opportunistic eaters, thriving on a varied diet that includes fruits, insects, carrion, small mammals, and even the eggs of other birds. They are also known to scavenge from human settlements and garbage dumps, making them highly adaptable to different environments.
Overall, ravens hold a prominent place in culture and natural history due to their distinctive appearance, vocal abilities, cleverness, and widespread presence.
• Prey: plunder.
• The largest of the crow family.
• To devour with great eagerness; to prey with great rapacity.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "raven" comes from the Old English word "hræfn", which is believed to have originated from the Proto-Germanic word "*hrabnaz". This word likely evolved from the Proto-Indo-European root "*ker-" meaning "to cry hoarsely" or "to croak". This connection highlights the ravens' distinctive hoarse call. The word has remained relatively unchanged throughout its history, enduring in various Germanic languages.