honey eater

or honey·eater

noun

1. any of numerous oscine birds of the family Meliphagidae, chiefly of Australasia, having a bill and tongue adapted for extracting the nectar from flowers.

honey-eater

/ ˈhʌnɪˌiːtə /

noun

1. any small arboreal songbird of the Australasian family Meliphagidae, having a downward-curving bill and a brushlike tongue specialized for extracting nectar from flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of honey eater¹

First recorded in 1725–35

Example Sentences

Then Louhi sent Otso the Bear, the honey-eater, but he was slain by the hero, who made a banquet of his flesh for the people.

From Project Gutenberg

It is also a honey eater; and roams about in quest of the hives of the indigenous bees.

From Project Gutenberg

He suspects that the honey-eater nests at all times of the year.

From Project Gutenberg

Is there a city boy who does not know the Greenie (White-plumed Honey-eater)?

From Project Gutenberg

A larger Honey-eater, with grey mottled plumage, generally found on the Banksia, and not very common.

From Project Gutenberg