Crow

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /kɹəʊ/

Definitions

1. A large black bird with a harsh call that feeds on carrion and seeds, or to boast loudly about an achievement
2. A type of bird known for its glossy black feathers and vocal sounds, which is also used to describe the act of bragging or expressing pride excessively
3. This bird, characterized by its striking plumage and sharp calls, also refers to the action of boasting or reveling in success

Etymology: The bird and the verb turn out to be related in an unexpected way. The noun "crow" comes from the verb: Middle English "crowe" was formed from the verb itself, so the bird was named for its call. The verb goes back to Old English "crāwan," with past tense "crēow," from a Proto-Germanic root "krēaną" meaning "to crow," which is imitative, rooted in a sound meaning "to cry hoarsely." Relatives include Dutch "kraaien," German "krähen," and Russian "grájatʹ," and the family also includes "croak." Words for the bird itself are older than the verb's English form. Its noun descends from Proto-Germanic "krēǭ," which also gave Dutch "kraai" and German "Krähe," so the bird's name is shared across the continental Germanic languages. The verb has a different line of descent. It is a back-formation from "crowbar," meaning the English verb was created by stripping an apparent suffix from the older compound noun, rather than arising from the bird's call.

Synonyms: raven, bird, fowl

Antonyms: dove, sparrow