Zakuski

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /zəˈkuːski/

Definitions

1. A variety of small, savory dishes typically served as appetizers in Russian cuisine
2. Small portions of food, often served cold, that accompany drinks or can be enjoyed on their own, especially at gatherings
3. A selection of hors d'oeuvres common in Eastern European dining, known for their diversity and often enjoyed with cocktails

Etymology: Zakuski are the Russian table of small dishes served before a meal, usually laid out all at once so guests can graze on pickles, smoked fish, cured meats, salads and dumplings with vodka. The name is a noun derived from the Russian verb "zakusit'", meaning to take a bite or a snack after a drink, so the word literally describes what you do after a shot. Its root combines the prefix "za-", "behind" or "after", with "kusit'", to bite, a pattern that connects it to the verb for a quick nibble. The word is also a close relative of a much more distant cousin. "Zacusca" is a Romanian relish of roasted vegetables, and the two words descend from the same Russian source but reached their separate forms through different routes, which makes them doublets. English took the Russian word directly, and it appears in English as a borrowing of the everyday Russian term for a snack.

Synonyms: snacks, appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, tapas, meze