beater
UK: ˈbiːtə | US: ˈbiːtər
n. a tool or device used for beating or mixing (e.g., egg beater)
n. a person who beats or strikes something (e.g., carpet beater)
n. informal: a worn-out or inferior vehicle
The word "beater" derives from the verb "beat" (Old English bēatan, meaning "to strike or hit repeatedly") combined with the agentive suffix "-er," which indicates a person or tool performing an action. Originally applied to tools (e.g., for whipping or crushing) and later extended to people (e.g., hunters who flush out game). The informal sense of a dilapidated vehicle emerged in the 20th century, metaphorically implying something "beaten up" by use.
She used an electric beater to whip the cream.
The carpet beater removed dust from the rug efficiently.
His old car is a real beater, but it still runs.
The hunter’s beater scared the birds into flight.
A manual egg beater works well for small tasks.