Illustration of beaver
- B beaver 1
beaver
1 of 3noun (1)
bea·ver ˈbē-vər 
plural beavers
1
or plural beaver
a
: either of two large semiaquatic herbivorous rodents comprising a family (Castoridae including Castor canadensis of North America and C. fiber of Eurasia), having webbed hind feet and a broad flat scaly tail, and constructing dams and partially submerged lodges
b
: the fur or pelt of the beaver
2
a
: a hat made of beaver fur or a fabric imitation
b
: silk hat
3
: a heavy fabric of felted wool or of cotton napped on both sides
4
vulgar : the genitals of a female especially when covered with pubic hair
beaver
2 of 3noun (2)
1
: a piece of armor protecting the lower part of the face
2
: a helmet visor
beaver
3 of 3verb
beavered; beavering; beavers
intransitive verb
: to work energetically
beavering away at the problem
Synonyms
Verb
- bang away
- dig (away)
- drudge
- endeavor
- fag
- grub
- hump
- hustle
- labor
- moil
- peg (away)
- plod
- plow
- plug
- slave
- slog
- strain
- strive
- struggle
- sweat
- toil
- travail
- tug
- work
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English bever, from Old English beofor; akin to Old High German bibar beaver, and probably to Old English brūn brown — more at brown
Noun (2)
Middle English baviere, from Middle French
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1946, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing beaver
Kids Definition
beaver
noun
bea·ver ˈbē-vər
: an animal that has thick brown fur, webbed hind feet, and a broad flat tail, that cuts down trees with its teeth, and that builds dams and houses of sticks and mud in water
Geographical Definition
Beaver
geographical name
Bea·ver ˈbē-vər
1
river 280 miles (451 kilometers) long in northwestern Oklahoma forming the upper course of the North Canadian River
2
river 305 miles (491 kilometers) long Canada in Alberta and Saskatchewan flowing east into the Churchill River
beaver
noun
as in muskrat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- muskrat
- otter
- mink
- raccoon
- rabbit
- badger
- fox
- fisher
- marten
- racoon
- seal
- sable
- ermine
- chinchilla
- pelt
- chamois
- sheep
- fur
- leather
- coonskin
- bearskin
- deerskin
- sealskin
- karakul
- rawhide
- pigskin
- sharkskin
- skin
- alligator
- snakeskin
- doeskin
- kolinsky
- crocodile
- hide
- horsehide
- sheepskin
- lambskin
- buckskin
- Persian lamb
- mouton
- goatskin
- kidskin
- fleece
- calfskin
- cowhide
- suede
- patent leather
- morocco
- cordovan