Lewis & Short

corvus, i, m. [root kar-, kal-, to sound; cf.: καλέω, κόραξ, etc.],

  1. I. a raven, Plin. 10, 43, 60, § 121 sq.; acc. to the fable, orig. white, changed to a black bird in punishment for treachery, Ov. M. 2, 541 sq.; on account of its gift of prophecy (oscen, Hor. C. 3, 27, 11), consecrated to Apollo, Ov. M. 5, 329 (hence, Phoebeïus ales, id. ib. 2, 545: Delphicus ales, Petr. 122; cf. also Stat. Th. 3, 506); its flight to the right indicated good fortune, Plaut. As. 2, 1, 12; Cic. Div. 1, 39, 85.
    1. B. Prov.: in cruce corvos pascere, to be hanged, Hor. Ep. 1, 16, 48.
  2. II. Meton., of bodies whose form or coloring is similar to that of the raven’s bill.
    1. A. In form.
      1. 1. A military implement, a grapnel, Curt. 4, 2, 12; 4, 3, 24 Mützell.
      2. 2. A battering-ram, Vitr. 10, 19.
      3. 3. A surgical instrument, in the form of a hook, Cels. 7, 19, § 33.
      4. 4. The constellation Corvus, Vitr. 9, 7; Hyg. Astr. 3, 39.
    2. B. From its color, a sea-fish, Plin. 32, 11, 53, § 146; Cels. 2, 18; Aus. Ep. 4, 63.
    3. C. In mal. part. = fellator, Juv. 2, 63; cf. Mart. 14, 74.