Regaled

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To have provided enjoyable and entertaining stories or experiences, to have served a sumptuous meal or lavish entertainment, and to have pleased someone through storytelling or generous gestures of hospitality
2. To entertain someone by telling amusing or impressive stories ; to provide a rich and generous meal or reception for guests
3. To delight an audience by recounting fascinating anecdotes ; to serve an abundant and splendid feast with warmth

Etymology: The past tense "regaled" comes from a verb that began as a word for merriment. Old French had "gale," meaning amusement or rejoicing, and from it grew "regale," a verb meaning to entertain or feast someone. Its ancestry is probably Germanic, and the same root gave English "gale" in the sense of singing or charming, as well as the modern word "gala." English borrowed the verb from French, and its meaning has stayed close to that original idea of making someone happy with pleasures. Over time "regale" narrowed toward two uses: lavishing a splendid meal on guests, and delighting listeners with stories. The second sense is the one most people now associate with it, so someone "regaled" with tales is being treated to entertainment in much the same way a guest is treated to a feast.

Synonyms: entertained, delighted, amused

Antonyms: bored, displeased