beaver moon

noun

variants or Beaver Moon

: the first full moon of November

The November full moon is known as the Beaver Moon. This was the time to set traps before the swamps froze to ensure a good supply of furs for the winter. A different interpretation is that this is the time beavers would be most active in the preparation for winter.

—Chris Pagan, Tulsa (Oklahoma) World, 25 Nov. 2012

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

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