bee-eater
[bee-ee-ter]
- any of several colorful birds of the family Meropidae, of the Old World tropics, that feed on bees and other insects.
Origin of bee-eater
First recorded in 1660–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for bee-eater
Historical Examples
The note of both kinds of bee-eater is a soft but cheery whistle.
Glimpses of Indian BirdsDouglas Dewar
Beewolf—that is, bee-eater—is the German name for the woodpecker.
Traditions, Superstitions and Folk-loreCharles Hardwick
More likely they were bee-eater's, or may have been snake's or lizard's.
The Leicestershires beyond BaghdadEdward John Thompson
The bee-eater utilises the bill as pickaxe and the feet as ejectors.
A Bird Calendar for Northern IndiaDouglas Dewar
The sand-grouse (Pterocles arenarius) is occasionally found, as also are the eagle and the bee-eater.
bee-eater
- any insectivorous bird of the family Meropidae of tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, having a long downward-curving bill and long pointed wings and tail: order Coraciiformes (kingfishers, etc)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012