v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Craved p pr. & vb. n. Craving. ] [ AS. crafian; akin to Icel. krefja, Sw. kräfva, Dan. kræve. ] 1. To ask with earnestness or importunity; to ask with submission or humility; to beg; to entreat; to beseech; to implore. [ 1913 Webster ]

I crave your honor's pardon. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Joseph . . . went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. Mark xv. 43. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To call for, as a gratification; to long for; hence, to require or demand; as, the stomach craves food. [ 1913 Webster ]

His path is one that eminently craves weary walking. Edmund Gurney.

Syn. -- To ask; seek; beg; beseech; implore; entreat; solicit; request; supplicate; adjure. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To desire strongly; to feel an insatiable longing; as, a craving appetite. [ 1913 Webster ]

Once one may crave for love. Suckling. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OE. cravant, cravaunde, OF. cravant&unr_; struck down, p. p. of cravanter, crevanter, to break, crush, strike down, fr. an assumed LL. crepantare, fr. L. crepans, p. pr. of crepare to break, crack, rattle. Cf. Crevice, Crepitate. ] Cowardly; fainthearted; spiritless. “His craven heart.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The poor craven bridegroom said never a word. Sir. W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

In craven fear of the sarcasm of Dorset. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Formerly written also cravant and cravent. ] A recreant; a coward; a weak-hearted, spiritless fellow. See Recreant, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

King Henry. Is it fit this soldier keep his oath?
Fluellen. He is a craven and a villain else. Shak.

Syn. -- Coward; poltroon; dastard. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Cravened p. pr. & vb. n. Cravening. ] To make recreant, weak, spiritless, or cowardly. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

There is a prohibition so divine,
That cravens my weak hand. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who craves or begs. [ 1913 Webster ]