Definition

1. Noun:

   • Large semiaquatic rodent: A large rodent with webbed hind feet, a broad flat tail, and strong teeth, known for building complex dams and lodges in rivers and streams.
   • The fur of this animal: The soft, thick, brown fur from a beaver, used in making hats and garments.
   • A type of hat: A hat, historically for men, made from beaver fur or a similar material, often with a tall crown.
   • A piece of armor: A movable part on the front of a medieval helmet, designed to protect the lower face and chin.
   • A full beard: (Informal) A man's full, thick beard.
   • A resident: (Informal, often capitalized) A native or resident of the U.S. state of Oregon.

2. Verb:

   • To work hard: To work very hard and diligently on something, often in a persistent manner.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Animal):
  • The beaver built an impressive dam across the stream.
  • We saw a beaver swimming with a branch in its mouth.
• Noun (Fur/Material):
  • The trapper traded beaver pelts at the outpost.
  • Her coat was trimmed with luxurious beaver.
• Noun (Hat):
  • The gentleman tipped his beaver as she walked by.
• Verb:
  • She had to beaver away at her thesis all weekend to meet the deadline.
  • He's been beavering in the garage, trying to fix the old engine.

Advanced Usage

• "Beaver away": A common phrasal verb meaning to work hard and steadily at a task.
  • The team beavered away on the project until it was perfect.
• "Eager beaver": An idiom for a person who is very enthusiastic and hardworking, sometimes excessively so.
  • He's such an eager beaver, always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

Variants and Related Words

• Beavering (present participle/gerund): The act of working hard.
  • His constant beavering finally paid off with a promotion.
• Beaverboard (noun): A type of fiberboard, originally a trademark, not directly related to the animal.
• Beaverette (noun): A woman's hat made of imitation beaver fur.

Synonyms

• Noun (Animal): Rodent, dam-builder.
• Noun (Fur): Pelt, fur.
• Verb: Toil, labor, slog, grind, work diligently.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Beaver away: To work hard and persistently.
  • She beavered away at the accounts until they balanced.

Related Idioms

• Eager beaver: A very keen and industrious person.
  • The new intern is a real eager beaver, volunteering for every task.
• Busy as a beaver: Extremely busy and hardworking, like the animal known for its industry.
  • With the launch next week, the marketing team is as busy as a beaver.

Noun

1. large semiaquatic rodent with webbed hind feet and a broad flat tail; construct complex dams and underwater lodges
2. a hat made with the fur of a beaver (or similar material)
3. a movable piece of armor on a medieval helmet used to protect the lower face
4. a man's hat with a tall crown; usually covered with silk or with beaver fur
5. a full beard
6. a native or resident of Oregon
7. the soft brown fur of the beaver

Verb

1. work hard on something