The word "ravening" refers to the act of voraciously devouring or feeding greedily. Its spelling may seem confusing, but it can be broken down into phonetic transcription. The first syllable "rav" is pronounced with the short "a" sound as in "cat," followed by the unstressed "e" sound. The second syllable "en" is pronounced with a short "e" sound as in "met," and the final syllable "ing" is pronounced with a long "i" sound as in "eye" and a hard "ng" sound as in "sing."
Ravening is an adjective that describes someone or something that is voraciously or greedily consuming or devouring with great hunger or intensity. The term typically refers to an insatiable or rapacious appetite or desire for food, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe other kinds of intense cravings or desires.
In a literal sense, ravening often connotes a wild, savage, or uncontrollable hunger seen in predatory animals such as wolves or lions. It suggests a consuming and relentless pursuit of sustenance, where the appetite and drive to obtain food knows no bounds. This voracity is marked by an aggressive and fierce determination to consume or satisfy one's desires, often without consideration for others or the consequences.
Metaphorically, ravening can be applied to describe unquenchable desires or obsessions that can manifest in various aspects of human life. These desires may include unrestrained cravings for power, wealth, or fame, where individuals exhibit an unrelenting pursuit at any cost. The term also suggests an insatiable thirst for knowledge, experience, or even emotional fulfillment that drives one's actions ceaselessly.
Overall, ravening depicts a state of extreme hunger or desire that overrides all other considerations or constraints, reflecting an intensity and fervor that is difficult to satiate or control.
• Preying with violence.
• Violence; propensity to plunder.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "ravening" is derived from the Old English verb "rǣfnian", which means "to seize greedily" or "to plunder". This Old English root is related to the Old High German word "rāfon", meaning "to seize" or "to rob". Over time, the term "ravening" developed in Middle English (around the 14th century) to describe the action of ravenous animals or people who would voraciously seize or devour their prey. Today, "ravening" is primarily used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is excessively or wildly hungry or greedy.