Craven vs. Raven — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 10, 2023
Craven is a term describing extreme cowardice. Raven is a large, black bird known for its intelligence.
Difference Between Craven and Raven
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Craven is an adjective used to describe someone who is notably cowardly or timid, showing a lack of courage. In contrast, Raven is a noun, referring to a species of large, black birds, famous for their intelligence and often featured in folklore and mythology.
While Craven carries a negative connotation, implying a significant lack of bravery or a tendency to easily succumb to fear, Raven represents a physical entity, specifically a bird that is part of the genus Corvus. Ravens are often admired for their problem-solving skills and adaptability.
The usage of Craven is primarily in contexts where a person's character or behavior is being evaluated, especially their ability to face challenges or dangers. On the other hand, Raven is used in ornithological, cultural, and literary contexts, often symbolizing wisdom or harbinger.
Craven can be used metaphorically to describe actions or decisions that are made out of fear rather than conviction. In contrast, Raven, as a bird, is frequently observed in nature and wildlife studies and has a symbolic presence in various cultural narratives and stories.
The word Craven finds its roots in Middle English, deriving from an old word meaning 'defeated', indicative of its association with weakness. In contrast, Raven has Old English origins, related to words in Germanic languages that denote this specific bird.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Noun
Usage
Describing cowardice
Referring to a bird species
Connotation
Negative, implies weakness
Neutral, often seen as intelligent
Etymology
Middle English, 'defeated'
Old English, Germanic roots
Symbolism
Weakness, lack of courage
Intelligence, adaptability
Compare with Definitions
Craven
Extremely cowardly.
The craven soldier deserted his post during battle.
Raven
A large, black bird of the genus Corvus.
The raven cawed ominously from the treetop.
Craven
Lacking even the slightest amount of courage.
His craven refusal to stand up for his friends disappointed everyone.
Raven
Often a subject in literature and folklore.
The raven in the poem symbolized lost love and mourning.
Craven
Overwhelmed by fear, choosing flight over fight.
In the face of danger, the craven man always chose to run away.
Raven
Known for its shiny, black plumage.
A raven's glossy feathers glinted in the sunlight.
Craven
Contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly
A craven abdication of his moral duty
Raven
A symbol of wisdom or prophecy in many cultures.
In the story, the raven was a messenger of the gods.
Craven
Timid to an excessive degree.
Faced with confrontation, he was craven and submissive.
Raven
Noted for its intelligence and problem-solving abilities.
The raven figured out how to open the container.
Craven
Craven is a local government district of North Yorkshire, England centred on the market town of Skipton. In 1974, Craven district was formed as the merger of Skipton urban district, Settle Rural District and most of Skipton Rural District, all in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Raven
A raven is a large bird from one of several species of the genus Corvus. These species do not form a single taxonomic group within the genus.
Craven
A cowardly person.
Raven
A large heavily built crow with mainly black plumage, feeding chiefly on carrion.
Craven
Characterized by abject fear; cowardly.
Raven
(especially of hair) of a glossy black colour
Thick raven hair
Craven
A coward.
Raven
(of a wild animal) hunt voraciously for prey
Fierce lions went ravening to and fro
Craven
Unwilling to fight; lacking even the rudiments of courage; extremely cowardly.
Raven
A large bird (Corvus corax) of the Northern Hemisphere, having black plumage and a croaking cry.
Craven
A coward.
Raven
Any of several similar birds of the genus Corvus, found in Africa, Australia, and southwestern North America.
Craven
To make craven.
Raven
Variant of ravin.
Craven
Cowardly; fainthearted; spiritless.
The poor craven bridegroom said never a word.
In craven fear of the sarcasm of Dorset.
Raven
Voracity; rapaciousness.
Craven
To make recreant, weak, spiritless, or cowardly.
There is a prohibition so divine,That cravens my weak hand.
Raven
Something taken as prey.
Craven
An abject coward
Raven
The act or practice of preying.
Craven
Lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful;
The craven fellow turned and ran
A craven proposal to raise the white flag
This recreant knight
Raven
Black and shiny
Raven tresses.
Craven
Characterized by abject fear.
The craven response to the crisis did more harm than good.
Raven
To consume greedily; devour.
Raven
To seek or seize as prey or plunder.
Raven
To seek or seize prey or plunder.
Raven
To eat ravenously.
Raven
(countable) Any of several, generally large and lustrous black species of birds in the genus Corvus, especially the common raven, Corvus corax.
Raven
A jet-black colour.
Raven
Rapine; rapacity.
Raven
Prey; plunder; food obtained by violence.
Raven
Of the color of the raven; jet-black
Raven curls
Raven darkness
She was a tall, sophisticated, raven-haired beauty.
Raven
To obtain or seize by violence.
Raven
(transitive) To devour with great eagerness.
Raven
(transitive) To prey on with rapacity.
The raven is both a scavenger, who ravens a dead animal almost like a vulture, and a bird of prey, who commonly ravens to catch a rodent.
Raven
(intransitive) To show rapacity; to be greedy (for something).
Raven
A large black passerine bird (Corvus corax), similar to the crow, but larger, and has a harsh, loud call. It is native of the northern parts of Europe, Asia and America, and is noted for its sagacity.
Raven
Rapine; rapacity.
Raven
Prey; plunder; food obtained by violence.
Raven
Of the color of the raven; jet black; as, raven curls; raven darkness.
Raven
To obtain or seize by violence.
Raven
To devour with great eagerness.
Like rats that ravin down their proper bane.
Raven
To prey with rapacity; to be greedy; to show rapacity.
Benjamin shall raven as a wolf.
Raven
Large black bird with a straight bill and long wedge-shaped tail
Raven
Obtain or seize by violence
Raven
Prey on or hunt for;
These mammals predate certain eggs
Raven
Eat greedily;
He devoured three sandwiches
Raven
Feed greedily;
The lions ravened the bodies
Common Curiosities
Is craven a common term in modern English?
It's less common but still used to describe extreme cowardice.
What is a raven exactly?
A raven is a large, intelligent bird, known for its black plumage.
What does craven mean?
Craven describes extreme cowardice or a lack of bravery.
Can craven be a noun?
No, it's used only as an adjective.
Can craven be used for situations, not just people?
Yes, actions or decisions can also be described as craven.
Are ravens and crows the same?
No, ravens are larger and have distinct features compared to crows.
Is the raven a solitary bird?
Ravens can be solitary but are often seen in pairs or groups.
Do ravens have significance in mythology?
Yes, they are often symbols of wisdom or omens in various cultures.
Are ravens common in urban areas?
They are adaptable and can be found in various environments, including cities.
What does it mean if something is described as craven?
It means it's characterized by a significant lack of courage.
What's the lifespan of a raven in the wild?
Ravens can live up to 10-15 years in the wild.
Do ravens mimic sounds?
Yes, ravens can mimic sounds and even human speech.
How intelligent are ravens?
Ravens are very intelligent, capable of problem-solving and planning.
Is craven ever used positively?
No, it's always used in a negative context to imply cowardice.
Where does the word craven come from?
It originates from Middle English, related to the word 'defeated'.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
