Main Entry: meat

Pronunciation: \ˈmēt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English mete, from Old English; akin to Old High German maz food

Date: before 12th century

1 a : food; especially : solid food as distinguished from drink b : the edible part of something as distinguished from its covering (as a husk or shell)
2 : animal tissue considered especially as food: a : flesh 2b; also : flesh of a mammal as opposed to fowl or fish b : flesh 1a; specifically : flesh of domesticated animals
3 archaic : ¹meal 1; especially : dinner
4 a : the core of something : heart b : pith 2b <a novel with meat>
5 : favorite pursuit or interest

— meat·ed \ˈmē-təd\ adjective

— meat·less adjective