beaver

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Wikipedia

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.1.1 Homophones 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Noun 1.2.1.1 Derived terms 1.2.1.2 Related terms 1.2.1.3 Translations 1.2.1.4 See also 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Noun 1.4 Etymology 3 1.4.1 Noun 1.5 References

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˈbiːvə/, SAMPA: /"bi:v@/
• (US) enPR: bēʹvər, IPA: /ˈbiːvɚ/, SAMPA: /"bi:v@`/

  Rhymes: -iːvə(r)

[edit] Homophones

• Belvoir
• bever

[edit] Etymology 1

From Old English beofor, from Proto-Germanic. Cognate with Dutch bever, German Biber.

[edit] Noun

beaver (plural beavers or beaver)

1. An aquatic mammal of the genus Castor, having a wide, flat tail and webbed feet.
2. (vulgar, slang) The pubic hair and/or vulva of a woman.

[edit] Derived terms

• American beaver
• European beaver

[edit] Related terms

• beaver away
• beavered
• busy as a beaver
• eager beaver

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• Appendix:Animals

[edit] Etymology 2

From Old French baviere (“‘child's bib’”), from baver (“‘slaver’”).

[edit] Noun

beaver (plural beavers)

1. (obsolete except historical or in heraldry) The lower face-guard of a helmet.

   • 1819: Without alighting from his horse, the conqueror called for a bowl of wine, and opening the beaver, or lower part of his helmet, announced that he quaffed it, “To all true English hearts, and to the confusion of foreign tyrants.” — Walter Scott, Ivanhoe

[edit] Etymology 3

Anglo-Norman, from Old French beivre, from Latin bibere, present active infinitive of bibō (“‘drink’”).

[edit] Noun

beaver (plural beavers)

1. A bever.

[edit] References

• The Manual of Heraldry, Fifth Edition, by Anonymous, London, 1862, online at [1]