beaver

Everyday

1. A beaver is a large rodent with thick brown fur, strong teeth and a wide, flat tail, that lives near rivers and lakes. tree →
2. To beaver away is to work very hard and steadily at something. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons beavers are an example of animals that change their habitat: they cut down trees with their teeth and build dams and homes called lodges, making ponds that help many other animals. They are the national animal of Canada and appear on the Canadian five-cent coin. In everyday life: «eager beaver» means a very keen person; Beavers is also the youngest group in Scouts in the UK.

Examples

• Beavers build dams across streams with sticks and mud. tree →
• A beaver slapped its tail on the water as a warning. tree →
• Beavers live in homes called lodges. tree →
• The beaver is a symbol of Canada. tree →
• She's been beavering away at her project all afternoon. tree →
• Beavers' front teeth never stop growing. tree →

Note

Countable: a beaver, beavers. Beavers eat bark and plants, not fish. A beaver is a rodent, like mice and squirrels. Their orange front teeth keep growing, and gnawing wood keeps them short.