picotear

Picotear is a Spanish verb that has a couple of related meanings:

Meaning:

1. To peck or nibble: This is the primary meaning. It refers to the action of small bites or pecks, often used to describe how birds use their beaks to pick small pieces of food or objects. The verb comes from the noun "pico" (beak).

2. To snack or eat little by little: Informally, picotear refers to eating small amounts of food intermittently rather than having full meals. It's like nibbling or snacking little bits, for example at a social gathering or when you don't have a big appetite.

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Word parts:

• Pico: means "beak" or "peak"
• -tear: common verb ending in Spanish (infinitive form)

The verb itself relates closely to the root idea of the "beak" ('pico'), emphasizing the light, repeated touch or bite.

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Synonyms:

• Today definition (peck/nibble): picotear ≈ picar, puntear (in certain contexts)
• Snack/eat little bits: picotear ≈ picar, merendar (sometimes)

Antonyms:

• For "picotear" as "peck/nibble", an antonym could be devorar (to devour, eat greedily).
• For "picotear" as "snack or eat little bits," an antonym might be comer de golpe (to eat quickly or in one go), or simply comer en cantidad (eat a full meal).

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Example sentences:

• El pájaro empezó a picotear las migas de pan.
  (The bird started to peck at the bread crumbs.)

• En la fiesta prefería picotear antes que sentarse a comer un plato completo.
  (At the party, he preferred to snack rather than sit down to eat a full meal.)

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Summary:
Picotear is a versatile Spanish verb meaning "to peck" (like a bird) or "to nibble/snack" small amounts of food, derived from pico ("beak"). It can convey both literal small bites or informal light eating.