Definition

A member of the Yeoman Warders, who are the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London, often recognized by their distinctive uniforms.

Example

The beefeater gave us a fascinating tour of the Tower of London, sharing stories of its history.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a beefeater in person?

Yeah, I saw one when I visited the Tower of London last summer!

They look so impressive in their uniforms, right?

Absolutely, it really felt like stepping back in time.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Beefeater is derived from the phrase 'beef eater', which refers to the Yeomen Warders of the Tower of London, who were historically known to be given rations of beef as part of their sustenance. The term 'beef' comes from Old French 'boef', meaning cow or ox, and 'eater' is from Old English 'etan', meaning to consume. Thus, the word describes someone who eats beef, specifically referring to these ceremonial guardians.

Memory Tip

Think of 'beef' as the meat from a cow and 'eater' as someone who consumes food. This helps you remember that a Beefeater is someone associated with eating beef, particularly the guards at the Tower of London.

Visually Confused Words