noun
eater
Food, especially fruit, intended to be eaten fresh rather than cooked.
These crisp apples are excellent eaters, so we serve them fresh.
Etymology
The usual agent noun for one who eats was also applied to food suited for eating directly. An eating apple or eater is contrasted with a variety primarily used for cooking.
More examples
- I set aside the best eaters and bake the bruised apples.
- For a lunchbox, choose a sweet eater with a thin skin.
- This tree produces juicy eaters rather than cooking apples.
Forms
eater · eaters
Similar words
- dessert apple
- Specifically an apple intended for eating fresh, not other foods.