[f. BITE v. + -ER1.]
1. One who or that which bites. (See the vb.)
c. 1300. Names of Hare, in Rel. Ant., I. 133. The hare … The gras-bitere, the goibert.
1496. Bk. St. Albans, Fysshynge, 28. A stately fysshe … a stronge byter.
1594. Carew, Tasso (1881), 42. A biter at the backe, of such quaint wayes As when he carpeth most, he seemes to prayse.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 445. Otters are most accomplished biters.
1696. J. Edwards, Exist. Prov. God, II. 22. These biters, these cutters, are made with a very acute edge.
1870. Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. vii. 15. This biter who has bitten himself.
2. spec. A deceiver; one who amuses himself at another’s expense; a sharper. (Obs. exc. in ‘the biter bit,’ a traditional quotation.)
1674. Cotton, Compl. Gamester, 6. Shoals of Huffs, Hectors, Setters, Gilts, Pads, Biters,… &c. and these may all pass under the general and common appellation of Rooks.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 47, ¶ 8. An ingenious Tribe of Men … who are for making April Fools every Day in the Year. These Gentlemen are commonly distinguished by the name of Biters.
1712. Steele, ibid., No. 504, ¶ 3. A Biter is one who thinks you a Fool, because you do not think him a Knave.
1812. Combe (Dr. Syntax), Picturesque, XIX. To think we have so little wit, As by such biters to be bit.
1885. Illustr. Lond. News, 14 Nov., 492/2. An excellent instance of “the biter bit’ was furnished.
