A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Raven(o)us, Reven(o)us, adj. Also: ravyn-, -an-, rav'n-, rawen-, -ynn-; revenn-, -an-, rewan- and -ows, -(o)is. [Late ME and e.m.E. rauynous (Lydgate), -ys (1538), ravenous (1496), rav'nous (1667), OF ravino(u)s, -eux, etc., chiefly in the sense impetuous, etc., of a river, horse, etc., pop. L. *rapīnōsus.] Ravenous.
a. Of animals or birds: That kill or devour other animals or birds; predatory; rapacious; voracious.Also transf.(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2728.
Ane vther kynd of wolfis rauenous [Bann. revanus] Ar mychtie men 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1422.
To noy the small the greit beistis had na will, Nor rauenous foulis the lytill volatill Id. Æn. ii vi 109 (Sm.).
Rawynnis Ib. (Ruddim.).
Rauynis Ib. iii vi 139 (Sm.).
Rawenus Ib. ix ix 85.
Ravanus [Ruddim. reuennous] 1562-3 Winȝet II 65/6.
Fals prophetis that … within … ar rauenous wolfis 1608 Wedderb. Compt Bk. 33.
Crawis and corbeis and ravenois foullis 1633 (1711) Sibbald's Orkn. & Shetl. 23.
There are many ravenous fowls here, as eagls, ravens, and crows 1639 Sc. Ant. III 132.
This fowle … although he be of a rauenous nature [etc.] a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 356.
Their hungering of ravenous beasts, and then, for a sport, casting Christians unto them(b) 1531 Bell. Boece I 174.
Revanus a1500 Henr. Fab. 2616 (Bann.).
A crewall wolf, revanus and fell Id. Orph. 121 (Bann.).
This noble king … rampand as a lyoun rewanus a1568 Scott xiv 17.
How far … Passis the … sound of lark aboif the revenous fowlis 1582 Reg. Privy C. III 506.
[They] laid out his carcage to be a prey for doiggis and revenus beististransf. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1192.
Ȝe, schir volff, … with ȝour tuskis rauenous Hes slane full mony kinnismen off myne 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 227.
Let louse the winds, thy rav'nows postes imploy, Disperse their navie, and themselves destroy
b. Of a river: Impetuous, rushing, violent.1513 Doug. vi ix 36.
That ravenus flude [L. rapidus … amnis], closys enveron
