a member of a fire department who tries to extinguish fires
Used in a Sentence
fire-eater
How to use fire-eater in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for fire-eater.
Editorial note
Promoters of secession, called “fire-eaters,” knew they did not command majority support even within the South, so they deployed a rhetoric of fear and anger that condemned Republicans as “fanatics” and encouraged fellow Southerners to regard Lincoln’s election as “an open declaration of war” upon the region. This hyperbolic language left no room for compromise or middle ground; it was intended to terrify voters into opposing Lincoln. The result was that Lincoln was not listed as a candidate in many Southern precincts, and his election, thus, surprised even moderate Southerners who believed he could not command an electoral college majority. By perverting the electoral process, fire-eaters swayed moderates to adopt their conspiratorial approach to politics.
Examples1
Definitions3
Parts of speech1
Quick take
a member of a fire department who tries to extinguish fires
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of fire-eater gathered in one view.
a belligerent grouch
a performer who pretends to swallow fire
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for fire-eater.
noun
a member of a fire department who tries to extinguish fires
See also: fireman, firefighter
noun
a belligerent grouch
See also: hothead
noun
a performer who pretends to swallow fire
See also: fire-swallower
Example sentences
Promoters of secession, called “fire-eaters,” knew they did not command majority support even within the South, so they deployed a rhetoric of fear and anger that condemned Republicans as “fanatics” and encouraged fellow Southerners to regard Lincoln’s election as “an open declaration of war” upon the region. This hyperbolic language left no room for compromise or middle ground; it was intended to terrify voters into opposing Lincoln. The result was that Lincoln was not listed as a candidate in many Southern precincts, and his election, thus, surprised even moderate Southerners who believed he could not command an electoral college majority. By perverting the electoral process, fire-eaters swayed moderates to adopt their conspiratorial approach to politics.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use fire-eater in a sentence?
Promoters of secession, called “fire-eaters,” knew they did not command majority support even within the South, so they deployed a rhetoric of fear and anger that condemned Republicans as “fanatics” and encouraged fellow Southerners to regard Lincoln’s election as “an open declaration of war” upon the region. This hyperbolic language left no room for compromise or middle ground; it was intended to terrify voters into opposing Lincoln. The result was that Lincoln was not listed as a candidate in many Southern precincts, and his election, thus, surprised even moderate Southerners who believed he could not command an electoral college majority. By perverting the electoral process, fire-eaters swayed moderates to adopt their conspiratorial approach to politics.
What does fire-eater mean?
a member of a fire department who tries to extinguish fires
What part of speech is fire-eater?
fire-eater is commonly used as noun.