Appetisers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Small portions of food presented prior to the main course to induce hunger
2. Light food options typically consumed with beverages or as a prelude to the entree
3. Small servings offered before the main meal to stimulate appetite

Etymology: "Appetisers" is simply the plural of "appetiser," so the history belongs to the singular. That noun comes from "appetise," a verb meaning to whet or stimulate the appetite, and the verb in turn traces back to the Latin "appetere," to seek after or long for, built from "ad-" (toward) and "petere" (to seek). The core idea is reaching out toward something desired, which is why food that quickens hunger came to be called by a word meaning to make a person long for more.

Synonyms: starters, hors d'oeuvres