lotus-eater

American  

[loh-tuhs-ee-ter] / ˈloʊ təsˌi tər /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a member of a people whom Odysseus found existing in a state of languorous forgetfulness induced by their eating of the fruit of the legendary lotus; one of the lotophagi.

2. a person who leads a life of dreamy, indolent ease, indifferent to the busy world; daydreamer.

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lotus-eater British  

noun

1. Greek myth one of a people encountered by Odysseus in North Africa who lived in indolent forgetfulness, drugged by the fruit of the legendary lotus

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Etymology

Origin of lotus-eater

First recorded in 1660–80; singular of lotus-eaters, translation of Latin Lōtophagī, from Greek Lōtophágoi, noun use of masculine plural adjective lōtophágos “lotus-eating.” See lotus, -phagous

Example Sentences

"It is exhausting, but with my usual energy I do it all the same," said Ernest, who is as a fact the world's champion lotus-eater.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 159, July 21, 1920 by Seaman, Owen, Sir

In this case I waited till I felt like a lotus-eater who could have stayed on forever.

From A-Birding on a Bronco by Merriam, Florence A.

I am no lotus-eater by nature," he went on with energy, "and so I fought and conquered it.

From The Centaur by Blackwood, Algernon

He was still lost in the dreams of the lotus-eater when he heard something that resembled the rattling of his own noisy car.

From Penny of Top Hill Trail by Lyford, Philip

How they got home you must read in Homer:—Mr. Tennyson—himself, we presume, a dreamy lotus-eater, a delicious lotus-eater—leaves them in full song.

From Early Reviews of English Poets by Haney, John Louis