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bea·ver¹

(bēvər)

a. Either of two large semiaquatic rodents, Castor canadensis of North America or C. fiber of Eurasia, having thick brown fur, webbed hind feet, a broad flat tail, and sharp incisors used for gnawing bark and felling trees, with which they construct dams and underwater lodges.

b. The fur of a beaver.

c. A top hat originally made of the underfur of a beaver.

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

a. Vulgar Slang The female genitals.

b. Offensive 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 the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

(click for a larger image)

beaver1

North American beaver

Castor canadensis

bea·ver² or be·vor

(bēvər)

1. A piece of armor attached to a helmet or breastplate to protect the throat or lower face.

2. The visor on a helmet.

[Middle English bavier, from Old French baviere, child's bib, beaver, from bave, saliva.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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