Corvus

/ˈkɔːrvəs/ noun

Definition

The genus name for ravens and crows, or a constellation in the southern sky shaped like a raven.

Etymology

Latin 'corvus' meaning raven or crow, used since ancient times. The term became the taxonomic genus name in scientific classification. The constellation was named by ancient astronomers who saw the bird shape in these stars.

Kelly Says

Corvus the constellation has a wild mythology—in Greek legend, Apollo sent a raven to retrieve water, but it delayed to eat figs, so the angry god threw both raven and water pitcher into the sky as punishment. You can still see them there!

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