delicatessen

del·i·ca·tes·sen

noun pl \ˌde-li-kə-ˈte-s^ən\

Definition of DELICATESSEN

1

: ready-to-eat food products (as cooked meats and prepared salads)

2

singular, plural delicatessens [delicatessen (store)] : a store where delicatessen are sold

Origin of DELICATESSEN

obsolete German (now Delikatessen), plural of Delicatesse delicacy, from French délicatesse, probably from Old Italian delicatezza, from delicato delicate, from Latin delicatus

First Known Use: 1885

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel