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beaver

 - 7 dictionary results

bea⋅ver

1[bee-ver] noun, plural -vers, (especially collectively) -ver for 1; verb
–noun
1. a large, amphibious rodent of the genus Castor, having sharp incisors, webbed hind feet, and a flattened tail, noted for its ability to dam streams with trees, branches, etc.
2. the fur of this animal.
3. a flat, round hat made of beaver fur or a similar fabric.
4. a tall, cylindrical hat for men, formerly made of beaver and now of a fabric simulating this fur. Compare opera hat, silk hat, top hat.
5. Informal. a full beard or a man wearing one.
6. Informal. an exceptionally active or hard-working person.
7. Slang: Vulgar.
a. a woman's pubic area.
b. Offensive. a woman.
8. Textiles.
a. a cotton cloth with a thick nap, used chiefly in the manufacture of work clothes.
b. (formerly) a heavy, soft, woolen cloth with a thick nap, made to resemble beaver fur.
9. (initial capital letter) a native or inhabitant of Oregon, the Beaver State (used as a nickname).
–verb (used without object)
10. British. to work very hard or industriously at something (usually fol. by away).

Origin:
bef. 1000; ME bever, OE beofor, befor; c. G Biber, Lith bebrùs, L fiber, Skt babhrús reddish brown, large ichneumon


bea⋅ver⋅like, bea⋅ver⋅ish, adjective

bea⋅ver

2[bee-ver]
–noun Armor.
1. a piece of plate armor for covering the lower part of the face and throat, worn esp. with an open helmet, as a sallet or basinet. Compare buffe, wrapper (def. 7).
2. a piece of plate armor, pivoted at the sides, forming part of a close helmet below the visor or ventail.


Origin:
1400–50; late ME bavier, bavour < MF baviere (OF: bib), equiv. to bave spit, dribble + -iere < L -āria, fem. of -ārius -ary; alteration of vowel in the initial syll. is unexplained
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To beaver
bea·ver 1   (bē'vər)   
n.  
    1. A large aquatic rodent of the genus Castor, having thick brown fur, webbed hind feet, a broad flat tail, and sharp incisors adapted for gnawing bark, felling trees, and constructing dams and underwater lodges.

    2. The fur of this rodent.

    3. A top hat originally made of the underfur of this rodent.

    4. Vulgar Slang The female genitals.

    5. Offensive & Vulgar Slang A woman or girl.

  1. A napped wool fabric, similar to felt, used for outer garments.

    1. Vulgar Slang The female genitals.

    2. Offensive & Vulgar Slang A woman or girl.

adj.  
  1. Of or relating to a beaver or beavers: beaver fur; a beaver hat.

  2. Constructed by beavers: beaver dams.

intr.v.   bea·vered, bea·ver·ing, bea·vers
To work diligently and energetically.

[Middle English bever, from Old English beofor; see bher-2 in Indo-European roots.]
bea·ver 2   (bē'vər)   
n.  
  1. A piece of armor attached to a helmet or breastplate to protect the mouth and chin.

  2. The visor on a helmet.


[Middle English bavier, from Old French baviere, child's bib, beaver, from bave, saliva.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
beaver

  1. n.
    the female genitals. (Usually objectionable.) : He thought he could see her beaver through her swimming suit.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

beaver 
O.E. beofor (earlier bebr), from P.Gmc. *bebruz (cf. Low Ger. bever, O.H.G. bibar), from PIE *bhebhrus, reduplication of base *bhru- "brown" (cf. Lith. bebrus, Czech bobr, Welsh befer, see bear (n.) for reason for this). Gynecological sense ("female genitals, especially with a display of pubic hair") is 1927 British slang, transferred from earlier meaning "a bearded man" (1910), from the appearance of split beaver pelts.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

beaver

see busy as a beaver; eager beaver; work like a beaver.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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