Word of the Day

: August 27, 2010

regale

verb rih-GAIL

What It Means

1 : to entertain sumptuously : to feast with delicacies

2 : to give pleasure or amusement to

regale in Context

"Mrs. O[bama] was, no surprise, also incredibly down-to-earth; she regaled our crew with tales of First Dog Bo, whose birthday was coming up." (Glamour, December 2009)

Did You Know?

"Regale" has been an English verb since at least 1656; it was adapted from French "régaler," which has the same meaning as "regale." The French verb goes back to Middle French "galer," which means "to have a good time," and to Old French "gale," meaning "pleasure." ("Gala," meaning "a festive celebration," is from the same source.) "Regale" also has a history as a noun meaning "a sumptuous feast." That use dates back to at least 1670, when someone penned the following notice for posterity: "My Lord Duke will not be able to get away yet…, all the regales that are intended for him not being yet at an end." (The lord referred to is the Duke of Buccleuch, whose regales ended once and for all 15 years later when he was beheaded.)