beaver

• Grand rongeur semi-aquatique aux pattes arrière palmées et à la queue large et plate, connu pour construire des barrages et des huttes; le terme désigne aussi sa fourrure brune douce, une barbe fournie, un haut chapeau ou la partie mobile de la visière d'un heaume médiéval.

A noun referring to a large semiaquatic rodent with webbed hind feet and a broad flat tail, known for building dams and lodges; also used for its soft brown fur, a full beard, a tall-crowned hat, or a movable piece of armor on a medieval helmet.

1. Semuaquatic rodentA2formal

   A large, primarily nocturnal rodent that lives in rivers and lakes, known for building dams and lodges using branches and mud.

   Castor (rongeur semi-aquatique)

   • The beaver is an important keystone species in many ecosystems.
   • We saw a beaver swimming across the pond with a branch in its mouth.
   • Beavers use their flat tails to slap the water as a warning signal.

2. Beaver furB2formal

   The soft, dense, and durable fur of the beaver, historically highly valued for making hats and clothing.

   Fourrure de castor

   • The trapper sold the beaver pelts at the market.
   • Beaver fur was a major driver of the North American fur trade.
   • The coat was lined with luxurious beaver fur.

   Synonymescastor

3. Beaver hatC1formal

   A hat, typically with a tall crown, made from beaver fur or a similar material, popular in the 19th century.

   Chapeau de castor

   • The gentleman wore a stylish beaver hat to the opera.
   • Beaver hats were a symbol of status and wealth in the 1800s.
   • He carefully brushed his beaver hat before going out.

   Synonymeshigh hattop hattopper

4. B2informal

   A thick, full beard, often associated with a rugged or masculine appearance.

   Barbe pleine et fournie

   • He grew a magnificent beaver over the winter.
   • The lumberjack had a thick, dark beaver on his face.
   • He trimmed his beaver to a more manageable length.

5. Armor pieceC2formal

   A movable piece of armor attached to a medieval helmet, designed to protect the lower part of the face.

   Beaver (pièce d'armure)

   • The knight lowered his beaver before charging into battle.
   • The beaver of the helmet was intricately decorated.
   • He could see through the narrow slits in his beaver.

• Verbe signifiant travailler dur ou assidûment, souvent utilisé dans l'expression 'beaver away' (s'acharner sur une tâche).

A verb meaning to work hard or industriously, often used in the phrase 'beaver away'.

1. Work hard or diligentlyB2informalbritish

   To work very hard and with great effort on a task or project.

   travailler assidûment

   • He was beavering away on his thesis all weekend.
   • She beavered at the report until it was perfect.
   • They beavered through the night to meet the deadline.

   Synonymesdrudgegrindlaborpersevereplug awayslaveslogstrivesweattoil