bee-eater
Definition
Noun: A bee-eater is any of various brightly colored, insectivorous birds of the family Meropidae, found mainly in Africa, Asia, southern Europe, and Australia. They are known for catching and eating bees, wasps, and other flying insects, often after removing the stinger by repeatedly striking the insect against a perch.
Usage Examples
- (The bird is hunting for its prey.)
- (The birds were observed in their natural habitat.)
Advanced Usage
- "to be a bee-eater by nature": a metaphorical expression meaning someone who is skilled at handling difficult or dangerous situations.
- As a negotiator, he is a bee-eater by nature, calmly dealing with hostile clients. (He is adept at managing challenging interactions.)
Variants and Related Words
- Bee-eater (no common variants; the word is a compound noun). Related terms:
- Bee (n): a flying insect that collects nectar and produces honey.
- Eater (n): an organism that consumes something.
- Meropidae (n): the scientific family name for bee-eaters.
Synonyms
- Meropid (scientific term): a bird of the family Meropidae.
- The meropid species is known for its aerial acrobatics. (The bee-eater family is noted for its flight skills.)
Phrasal Verbs
- "to eat up" (not specific to bee-eaters, but related): to consume completely.
- The bee-eater eats up the insect after removing its stinger. (The bird devours the insect.)
Related Idioms
- "to eat like a bird": to eat very little.
- Despite its name, the bee-eater does not eat like a bird; it consumes many insects daily. (The bird has a large appetite relative to its size.)