crow

Crow , n. [AS. crāwe a crow (in sense 1); akin to D. kraai, G. krähe; cf. Icel. krāka crow. So named from its cry, from AS. crāwan to crow. See Crow, v. i. ]

1. (Zoöl.) A bird, usually black, of the genus Corvus, having a strong conical beak, with projecting bristles. It has a harsh, croaking note. See Caw.

&fist; The common crow of Europe, or carrion crow, is C. corone. The common American crow is C. Americanus. See Carrion crow, and Illustr., under Carrion.

2. A bar of iron with a beak, crook, or claw; a bar of iron used as a lever; a crowbar.

Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight
Unto my cell.
Shak.

3. The cry of the cock. See Crow, v. i., 1.

4. The mesentery of a beast; -- so called by butchers.

Carrion crow. See under Carrion. -- Crow blackbird (Zoöl.), an American bird (Quiscalus quiscula); -- called also purple grackle. -- Crow pheasant (Zoöl.), an Indian cuckoo; the common coucal. It is believed by the natives to give omens. See Coucal. -- Crow shrike (Zoöl.), any bird of the genera Gymnorhina, Craticus, or Strepera, mostly from Australia. -- Red-legged crow. See Crough. -- As the crow flies, in a direct line. -- To pick a crow, To pluck a crow, to state and adjust a difference or grievance (with any one).

Crow (krō), v. i. [imp. Crew (kr&udd;) or Crowed (krōd); p. p. Crowed (Crown (krōn), Obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Crowing.]

[AS. crāwan; akin to D. kraijen, G. krähen, cf. Lith. groti to croak. √24. Cf. Crake.] 1. To make the shrill sound characteristic of a cock, either in joy, gayety, or defiance. "The cock had crown." Bayron.

The morning cock crew loud.
Shak.

2. To shout in exultation or defiance; to brag.

3. To utter a sound expressive of joy or pleasure.

The sweetest little maid,
That ever crowed for kisses.
Tennyson.

To crow over, to exult over a vanquished antagonist.

Sennacherib crowing over poor Jerusalem.
Bp. Hall.