eater

Everyday

1. A person or animal that eats, often described by how or what it eats: «a fussy eater», «a big eater». tree →
2. (as part of a word) An animal that eats a certain food: «anteater», «meat-eater», «plant-eater». tree →
3. A fire-eater is a performer who pretends to eat fire and breathes out flames at shows. tree →

In the lessons

In science, animals are grouped by what they eat: plant-eaters (herbivores), meat-eaters (carnivores), and those that eat both (omnivores). In everyday life and health, «a fussy/picky eater» refuses many foods; «a healthy eater» chooses good food. Phrases: «a fussy eater», «a big eater», «a slow eater».

Examples

• My brother is a very fussy eater. tree →
• Lions are meat-eaters. tree →
• Cows are plant-eaters. tree →
• The anteater licks up ants with its long tongue. tree →
• Dad is a big eater; he always has seconds. tree →
• A healthy eater has lots of fruit and vegetables. tree →
• She is a slow eater, so she is last to leave the table. tree →
• The fire-eater laughed again, and blew a flame at Makoma. tree →

Note

Countable: eaters. «An eater» because it starts with a vowel sound. In science, the long words are herbivore (plant-eater), carnivore (meat-eater), omnivore (eats both).

In Jewish tradition

In Samson's riddle, the eater is a lion, and the food is honey found in its body.

Interpretation. Tradition notes Samson's riddle shows his cleverness, though it led to trouble.

Examples

• Be not among winebibbers; among gluttonous eaters of flesh; (Writings PRO.23.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he said unto them: Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. (Prophets JDG.14.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• All thy fortresses shall be like fig-trees with the first-ripe figs: if they be shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater. (Prophets NAM.3.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: eaters. «An eater» because it starts with a vowel sound. In science, the long words are herbivore (plant-eater), carnivore (meat-eater), omnivore (eats both).