beater

[bee-ter]

noun

1. a person or thing that beats.

2. an implement or device for beating something (usually used in combination).

   the two beaters on an electric mixer;

   an old-fashioned rug beater that loosens dirt with every forceful whack.

3. Slang: Offensive.,  wifebeater.

4. Informal.,  an old vehicle that is in poor condition.

   I drive a beater that I bought for $2,000.

5. Hunting.,  a person who rouses or drives game from cover.

   The beater flushed a covey of grouse.

6. Papermaking.,  a machine for beating half-stuff to pulp by separating and shortening the fibers to produce a gelatinous mass.

7. Textiles.,  reed.

8. Newfoundland.,  a young seal, usually a month to six weeks old, having completely or almost completely shed its initial white fur.

beater

/ ˈbiːtə /

noun

1. a person who beats or hammers

   a panel beater

2. an instrument or device used for beating

   a carpet beater

3. a person who rouses wild game from woodland, undergrowth, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of beater¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English beter, better; beat, -er ¹; the seals in beater def. 8 are so named for their beating of the water with their flippers as they learn to swim

Example Sentences

Further evidence of violence in the Ives household emerged in text messages read to the court, in which the couple were branded "child beaters" by their own son.

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Cries of “fascist scum” and “wife beater” followed the pair.

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Jets and wildfire beaters were used to stop flames reaching the properties, Mr Hayward said.

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The brigade said it was also using wildfire beaters - a long handle with a flat piece of rubber at the end.

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The blaze was brought under control by 22:30 using jets, beaters and knapsacks.

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