[Vocabulary] Ravenously

[constantinusphilo]

It amazed me how such a smart girl could suddenly become so ravenously stupid in the dark, flailing around in her leopard-print negligee like some cavewoman I’d thumped with a club, barking things that would’ve horrified even the pack of wolves that raised her.

From The Rule of Four, Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason

I think 'ravenously' which is the synonym of 'rapaciously', 'avidly' is misused here.

 

[Tarheel]

I think 'ravenously' which a the synonym of 'rapaciously', 'avidly' is misused here.

It seems to rather an odd choice, but I think the intention is clear enough.

 

[probus]

I think 'ravenously' which is the synonym of 'rapaciously', 'avidly' is misused here.

I agree with you. I've never encountered raven or ravenous except in regard to the consumption of food.

 

[tedmc]

"Hungrily stupid" does not seem right.

 

[jutfrank]

I wonder if the writer meant ravingly.

 

[5jj]

Just a little more context:

Never mix books and bed. In the spectrum of excitement, sex and thought were on opposite ends, both to be enjoyed, but never at the same time. It amazed me how such a smart girl could suddenly become so ravenously stupid in the dark, flailing around in her leopard-print negligee like some cave-woman I'd thumped with a club, barking things that would've horrified even the pack of wolves that raised her.

https://unotices.com/book.php?id=70142&page=45

Is it possible that the man became stupid when she was ravenous for sex?

 

[SoothingDave]

I think what he's trying to say is that intellect and animal instinct are separate. Even the smartest person can show another side when engaged in bedroom antics.

 

[Tdol]

It looks better with the wider context.

 

[Skrej]

I understood it in the context of definition #2. As 5jj mentioned, it's not an appetite for food, but rather bedroom antics. Hormones take over, and normal behavior is forgotten.

I think what he's trying to say is that intellect and animal instinct are separate. Even the smartest person can show another side when engaged in bedroom antics.

Agreed - again it's (to me) more of an observation about how our base desires can overwhelm rational behavior. Essentially we're slaves to our desires, no matter how intelligent we may otherwise be.

 

[Tdol]

Hunger terms are often used when describing lust, vice versa