DCHP-3

slave beaver

Obs.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

See quote.

The reference is to an old myth to the effect that certain beavers, introverts perhaps, were enslaved by their more vigorous fellows.

Quotations

1795
With respect to the inferior, or slave-beaver, of which some Authors speak, it is, in my opinion, very difficult for those who are best acquainted with the economy of this animal to determine whether there are any that deserve that appellation or not.