crow

Signification

Noun

1. A bird, usually black, of the genus Corvus, having a strong conical beak, with projecting bristles; it has a harsh, croaking call.
2. Any of various dark-coloured nymphalid butterflies of the genus Euploea.
3. A bar of iron with a beak, crook or claw; a bar of iron used as a lever; a crowbar.
4. (slang) Someone who keeps watch while their associates commit a crime; a lookout.
5. A gangplank (corvus) used by the Ancient Roman navy to board enemy ships.
6. The mesentery of an animal.
7. An ill-tempered and obstinate woman, or one who otherwise has features resembling the bird; a harpy.
8. (slang) A black person.
9. (slang) The emblem of an eagle, a sign of military rank.

Adj

Dark black, the color of a crow; crow-black.

Verb

1. To make the shrill sound characteristic of a rooster; to make a sound in this manner, either in gaiety, joy, pleasure, or defiance.
2. To shout in exultation or defiance; to brag.
3. To test the reed of a double reed instrument by placing the reed alone in the mouth and blowing it.

Prononcé comme (IPA)

/kɹəʊ/

Étymologie

From Middle English crowe, from Old English crāwe, from Proto-West Germanic *krāā, from Proto-Germanic *krēǭ (compare West Frisian krie, Dutch kraai, German Krähe), from *krēaną (“to crow”). See below.