Raven
/ˈreɪ.vən/noun
A large, black bird known for its intelligence and adaptability.
Did you know?In many ancient cultures, ravens were seen as messengers between the living and the dead, often associated with prophecy and magic.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱlew-
“to make a sound, to cry out.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hrabanaz
“the bird of ill omen, often associated with death.”
Old English
OE
hræfn
“the raven, a bird seen as a symbol of mystery and foreboding.”
Middle English
ME
raven
“the large black bird, often tied to folklore and superstition.”
Modern English
English
raven
“the bird that symbolizes intelligence, darkness, and the mystical.”