man-eater

[man-ee-ter]

noun

1. an animal, especially a tiger or lion, that eats or is said to eat human flesh.

2. man-eating shark.

3. a cannibal.

4. Slang.,  femme fatale.

man-eater

noun

1. an animal, such as a tiger, that has become accustomed to eating human flesh

2. any of various sharks that feed on human flesh, esp the great white shark ( Carcharodon carcharias )

3. a human cannibal

4. informal,  a woman with many lovers

Word History and Origins

Origin of man-eater¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Maybe the intention was that Sarah, an avowed man-eater, uses her beauty as armor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Dubbed the "man-eater of Champaran", the beast was killed after a hunt by around 200 police officers and district officials.

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Ajay jumped to his feet as if an enormous man-eater were about to pounce.

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But new guidelines aside, Indian officials and wildlife experts continue to use the term man-eater.

Read more on Salon

There were undoubtedly elements of bigotry and chauvinism to much of the original Bennifer backlash — especially to the idea that Lopez was a controlling, spoiled “diva” and a compulsive man-eater.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anthropophaginian www.thesaurus.com
• anthropophagite 
• anthropophagus www.thesaurus.com
• people-eater www.thesaurus.com