Savouries

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of food that is characterized by its salty or spicy flavors, often served as appetizers, which enhances the dining experience with diverse tastes
2. Foods that are primarily salty or savory in nature, typically consumed as snacks or starters, providing flavorful contrast to sweet dishes
3. Foods that are rich in salty or spicy flavors and commonly offered before the main meal to stimulate the appetite

Etymology: "Savouries" is the plural of "savoury," so its story is really the story of the singular noun. The adjective "savoury" came into English from Old French "savoureux," meaning tasty or appetizing, which in turn grew from "savour," the word for flavour and relish. The noun use, meaning a small salty or piquant dish served before or after a meal, developed later, and the plural simply names a set of such dishes. The British treat known as a savoury, often served at the end of a formal dinner in place of a sweet course, shows where the word's meaning settled: anything tasty and not sweet. Savouries, then, are the snacks and small bites that answer the sugary desserts of a meal.

Synonyms: appetizers, snacks, hors d'oeuvres

Antonyms: desserts, sweets