19-08-03 16:03, Daniel J. Milton wrote:

> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Wordingham" > > > >
> Latin corvus 'crow' ....... I can't find this little group in
> Torsten's k-r- words! They are related by the curve of a corvid's
> beak. Latin _corvus_ also means some type of hook.
> Richard.
> ********
> Are you suggesting a derivation of 'corvus' from the *ker root,
> based on the (not very prominent) hook of a raven's beak? Isn't it
> more probable (and generally accepted) that the bird name is
> onomatopoeic, and that the use for grabbing tools is a secondary
> application in Latin?

The raven is just about the only corvid with a hooked beak. Rooks and
crows have large but only slightly curved beaks -- nothing conspicuous.
All of them go "kraa kraa", however. I met (and heard) a small flight of
ravens just two ours ago, and I agree with Daniel that the name is more
likely onomatopoeic.

Piotr