What does ravening mean?
Ravening is the present participle of the verb 'raven', meaning to devour greedily or eat voraciously. It is often used to describe a voracious or insatiable appetite, particularly for food. In a broader sense, ravening can also describe a fierce or ravenous attack, as in the case of wolves or other predators. The word is often associated with a sense of intense hunger or desire, and is commonly used in literary and poetic contexts to convey a sense of wild or unbridled appetite. While it is not a commonly used word in everyday conversation, ravening can be a powerful and evocative term when used effectively.
verbPresent participle of 'raven'. To devour greedily, to eat voraciously.
- Present participle of 'raven'.
"The ravening wolves attacked the herd, devouring several sheep in a matter of minutes."
"The ravening wolves attacked the herd, devouring several sheep in a matter of minutes."
"The ravening hunger in her stomach drove her to eat the entire pizza by herself."
The plural form 'ravenings' is used to describe multiple instances of ravenous or voracious behavior.
"The ravenings of the wolves were a testament to their insatiable hunger."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ravening
The word 'ravening' is derived from the verb 'raven', which is thought to have originated in the 14th century. The verb 'raven' is likely related to the Old English word 'hræfan', meaning 'to devour' or 'to eat voraciously'. The word 'ravening' has been used in English literature since the 16th century, and has been associated with a range of meanings, including voracious appetite, fierce attack, and wild or unbridled desire.
How ravening is actually used
Ravening is often used to describe a voracious or insatiable appetite, particularly for food. It can also be used to describe a fierce or ravenous attack, as in the case of the wolves.