Eat

Definition

Eat is a verb that refers to the action of consuming food through the mouth, typically for nourishment. It also has extended meanings, including to gradually wear away or erode something.

Parts of Speech

• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /it/
• Respelling: EET

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /iːt/
• Respelling: EET

Etymology

The word "eat" originates from the Old English "etan," meaning "to consume food" or "devour." It is derived from Proto-Germanic "*etan," which has cognates in various Germanic languages, such as Old High German "ezzan" and Gothic "itan."

Derivatives

• Eats (noun - informal)
• Edible (adjective)
• Eating (noun/verb)
• Eatable (adjective)
• Uneaten (adjective)

Synonyms

• Consume
• Devour
• Ingest

Antonyms

• Fast
• Abstain
• Starve

Usage

The verb "eat" is used widely in contexts related to food, meals, and nourishment, such as "We eat dinner at seven." It can also be used metaphorically to describe the gradual erosion or wearing away of something, as in "The rust ate away at the metal."

Related Terms

• Edible: Suitable or safe for consumption.
• Meal: An instance of eating food at a certain time.
• Ingestion: The act of taking food or drink into the body by swallowing.

Detailed Definitions

Verb

• To consume food through the mouth: Refers to the act of taking in food for nourishment.
  • Example: "They eat breakfast together every morning."
• To cause gradual destruction or erosion: Describes the effect of something wearing away or corroding over time.
  • Example: "The acidic water ate through the pipes."