Appetisers are an essential part of any meal, especially when it comes to fine dining. They are served before the main course and are meant to stimulate the appetite. Appetisers are usually small, savory dishes that are meant to whet the appetite and prepare the palate for the main course. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of appetisers.
Definitions
An appetiser is a small dish of food that is served before the main course of a meal. It is meant to stimulate the appetite and prepare the palate for the main course. Appetisers can be hot or cold, and they can be served in various forms, such as dips, spreads, or small bites of food.
Origin
The word “appetiser” comes from the French word “appétissant,” which means “appetizing.” The French have a long tradition of serving small, savory dishes before the main course of a meal. The tradition of serving appetisers before a meal dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where they were called “gustatio.”
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an appetiser is “a food or drink that stimulates the appetite and is usually served before a meal.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines an appetiser as “a small dish of food served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.”
Associations
Appetisers are often associated with fine dining and restaurants. They are also associated with social gatherings and parties, where they are served as finger foods. Appetisers are meant to be shared and enjoyed with others, and they are often served with cocktails or other drinks.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for appetisers include starters, hors d’oeuvres, canapes, and finger foods.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for appetisers, but they can be contrasted with the main course of a meal.
The same root words
The word “appetiser” comes from the French word “appétissant,” which means “appetizing.” The root word is “appétit,” which means “appetite” in French.
Example Sentences
- The restaurant served a delicious appetiser of stuffed mushrooms.
- The caterer prepared an assortment of appetisers for the party.
- I always enjoy trying new appetisers when I go out to eat.
- The waiter brought out a platter of canapes as an appetiser.
- The chef created a unique and flavorful appetiser of grilled octopus.