Ravenings

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An intense and insatiable hunger or desire, often suggesting a predatory or ferocious appetite; an act of devouring or consuming with great eagerness and greed; a state of being voraciously hungry or obsessed with acquiring something, particularly in a gluttonous manner
2. The overwhelming sensation of craving or needing something desperately, often related to food or power; the act of aggressively consuming or pillaging items, typically associated with wanton greed; a condition marked by a powerful yearning or lust that drives one to excessive behavior or indulgence
3. A fierce longing or craving that manifests as an unquenchable thirst for sustenance or possessions; engaging in voracious eating or taking by force, portraying a sense of wild desperation; a psychological state characterized by rampant desires that demand immediate fulfillment

Etymology: "Ravenings" is the plural of "ravening," a noun formed from the present participle of "raven," an old English verb meaning "to prey" or to seize and devour. The verb is tied to the bird name, and the connection is one of appearance and habit: the raven was a scavenger that fed on carrion, so the word for hunting and tearing at prey took on its name. Over time the verb fell out of everyday use, leaving the participial form behind as a noun. The sense it carries is fiercer than ordinary hunger. Where "raven" meant predation in its simplest form, "ravening" describes a creature or person in the grip of that drive, tearing at food or possessions with no restraint. The plural "ravenings" refers to separate bouts or instances of such craving, which is why it sounds more like a collection of violent appetites than a single feeling.

Synonyms: devourings, gluttonies