Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device for removing the outer layer: A kitchen tool specifically designed to remove the skin or peel from fruits and vegetables, such as potatoes or apples.
   • A person who removes skins: A worker whose job is to peel the skins or outer layers from produce.
   • A type of performer: An entertainer, typically in a striptease show, who removes clothing to music.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Tool):
  • Use a peeler to remove the skin from the carrots before slicing them.
  • A good vegetable peeler makes cooking preparation much faster.
• Noun (Person):
  • The factory employs several peelers to prepare the fruit for canning.
• Noun (Performer):
  • The club featured a famous peeler in its nightly show.

Advanced Usage

• "Potato peeler": A common compound term specifying the tool's primary use.
  • The potato peeler is blunt and needs to be sharpened.
• In historical or slang contexts (chiefly British, archaic), "peeler" was a colloquial term for a police officer, originating from Sir Robert Peel, founder of the modern police force. This usage is now rare.
  • The villain was caught by the peelers.

Variants and Related Words

• Peel (verb): To remove the outer covering from something.
  • Peel the oranges before eating them.
• Peeling (noun): The strip of skin or rind that has been removed.
  • Add the orange peelings to the compost bin.

Synonyms

• Paring knife (for the tool).
• Stripper (for the performer, though "stripper" is more common and general).
• Pare (verb, meaning to peel).

Phrasal Verbs

• Peel off: To remove by peeling; to separate from a surface or group.
  • Peel off the label carefully.
  • One motorcycle peeled off from the formation.

Idioms

• "Keep your eyes peeled": To watch carefully or be very alert. (Note: This idiom uses the verb "peel" metaphorically, not the noun "peeler").
  • Keep your eyes peeled for the street sign.

Noun

1. a device for peeling vegetables or fruits
   • she invented a potato peeler
2. a worker who peels the skins from fruits and vegetables
3. a performer who provides erotic entertainment by undressing to music