释义 |
▪ I. biter|ˈbaɪtə(r)| [f. bite v. + -er1.] 1. One who or that which bites. (See the vb.)
c1300Names of Hare in Rel. Ant. I. 133 The hare..The gras-bitere, the goibert. 1496Bk. St. Albans, Fysshynge 28 A stately fysshe..a stronge byter. 1594Carew Tasso (1881) 42 A biter at the backe, of such quaint wayes As when he carpeth most, he seemes to prayse. 1607Topsell Four-f. Beasts 445 Otters are most accomplished biters. 1696J. Edwards Exist. Prov. God ii. 22 These biters, these cutters, are made with a very acute edge. 1870Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. vii. 15 This biter who has bitten himself. 2. spec. A deceiver; one who amuses himself at another's expense; a sharper. (Obs. exc. in ‘the biter bit,’ a traditional quotation.)
1680Cotton Compl. Gamester 333 Shoals of huffs, hectors, setters, gilts, pads, biters, etc...may all pass under the general appellation of rooks. 1693D'Urfey Richmond Heiress Epil. p. 64 Is't not fit Once in an age the Biter should be bit. 1710E. Ward Nuptial Dial. II. ix. 179, I think she merits equal Praise That has the Wit to bite the Biter. 1711Addison Spect. No. 47 ⁋8 An ingenious Tribe of Men..who are for making April Fools every Day in the Year. These Gentlemen are commonly distinguished by the name of Biters. 1712Steele ibid. No. 504 §3 A Biter is one who thinks you a Fool, because you do not think him a Knave. 1812Combe (Dr. Syntax) Picturesque xix, To think we have so little wit, As by such biters to be bit. 1826M. Kelly Reminiscences (ed. 2) I. 336 Delighted at seeing the biter bit. 1885Illustr. Lond. News 14 Nov. 492/2 An excellent instance of ‘the biter bit’ was furnished. ▪ II. biter obs. form of bitter. |