Also 1–5 eter(e, 5 etar. [f. EAT v. + -ER.] One who eats; also with up, a consumer, devourer, and with object sb. prefixed, as bread-, flesh-eater.
a. 1000. Prov. 18 (Bosw.). Eteras, commessatores.
1340. Ayenb., 47. Ase byeþ þe mochele drinkeres and eteres.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 267/2. Thou etar of porrete wene thou to take me out of myn hows?
1483. Cath. Angl., 118. An Eter, comestor.
1535. Coverdale, Ezek. xxxvi. 13. Thou art an eater vp of men, and a waister of thy people.
1625–6. Shirley, Maids’ Rev., III. ii. Do I look like a spider-catcher, or toad-eater?
1710. Fuller, Tatler, No. 205, ¶ 2. [I] always speak of them with the Distinction of the Eaters, and the Swallowers.
1807. Sir R. Wilson, Jrnl., 7 June, Life (1862), II. viii. 253. We slept like pudding-eaters.
1837. J. H. Newman, Par. Serm. (1842), VI. vii. 95. It severs the fruit from the eater.
fig. 1829. E. Elliott, Vill. Patriarch, Notes 179. Unless the bread-tax-eaters can be induced to convene.
b. with adj. prefixed, as great, moderate, etc.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 37. They [Laplanders] are great eaters.
1809. Jas. Moore, Camp. Spain, 62. He [Sir John Moore] was a very plain and moderate eater.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., III. VIII. v. 43. He is no great eater.
c. transf. Of chemical corrosives.
1610. Markham, Masterp., II. cxxx. 432. Litergie or lime, in lye … are likewise very violent and strong eaters.
Hence Eatress [see -ESS], a woman who eats.
1834. Beckford, Italy, II. 244. I never beheld eaters or eateresses … lay about them with greater intrepidity.
1840. New Monthly Mag., LIX. 312. In a salon filled with the insatiable eaters and eatresses of maccaroni, the odour of cheese is perpetually following you.
