toad-eater noun. ['tǝʊdi:tǝ] E17.
[from TOAD + EATER.]
1. A person who eats toads; orig. spec. a charlatan's attendant who ate or pretended to eat toads (regarded as poisonous) to demonstrate the charlatan's skill in expelling poison. E17.

2. A fawning flatterer, a sycophant; = TOADY noun 2. Also (derog., now rare), a humble friend or dependant. M18.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲