1. A descriptive term meaning very hungry: A ravenous person feels as if he or she hasn't eaten for days.

The ravenous predatory animals seize and eat their prey.

After his illness, Adam had a ravenous appetite and ate a large bowl of soup.

2. Etymology: from Latin rapere, "to seize by force".

Back in the early 15th century, a person was called ravenous if he or she were greedy and obsessed with stealing, much like a pirate.

Now, it’s used more often to describe someone who has extreme hunger or desires.

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