castor

Beaver Bea"ver, n. [OE. bever, AS. beofer, befer; akin to D. bever, OHG. bibar, G. biber, Sw. b["a]fver, Dan. b[ae]ver, Lith. bebru, Russ. bobr', Gael. beabhar, Corn. befer, L. fiber, and Skr. babhrus large ichneumon; also as an adj., brown, the animal being probably named from its color. [root]253. See {Brown}.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Zo["o]l.) An amphibious rodent, of the genus {Castor}. [1913 Webster]

Note: It has palmated hind feet, and a broad, flat tail. It is remarkable for its ingenuity in constructing its lodges or ``houses,'' and dams across streams. It is valued for its fur, and for the material called {castor}, obtained from two small bags in the groin of the animal. The European species is {Castor fiber}, and the American is generally considered a variety of this, although sometimes called {Castor Canadensis}. [1913 Webster]

2. The fur of the beaver. [1913 Webster]

3. A hat, formerly made of the fur of the beaver, but now usually of silk. [1913 Webster]

A brown beaver slouched over his eyes. --Prescott. [1913 Webster]

4. Beaver cloth, a heavy felted woolen cloth, used chiefly for making overcoats. [1913 Webster]

5. A man's beard. [PJC]

6. The hair on a woman's pubic area; -- vulgar. [vulgar slang] [PJC]

7. A woman; -- vulgar and offensive. [vulgar slang] [PJC]

8. A person who works enthusiastically and diligently; -- used especially in the phrase {eager beaver}. [informal] [PJC]

{Beaver rat} (Zo["o]l.), an aquatic ratlike quadruped of Tasmania ({Hydromys chrysogaster}).

{Beaver skin}, the furry skin of the beaver.

{Bank beaver}. See under 1st {Bank}. [1913 Webster]