aperitifs
|a-per-i-tifs|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌæpəˈriːtɪf/
🇬🇧
/ˌæpəˈriːtiːf/
(aperitif)
pre-meal drink
Etymology
Etymology Information
'aperitif' originates from French, specifically the word 'apéritif', ultimately from Latin 'aperire' meaning 'to open'.
Historical Evolution
'aperire' (Latin) gave rise to French 'apéritif' and was adopted into English in the 19th century as 'aperitif'.
Meaning Changes
Initially it meant 'to open' (in the sense of opening the appetite); over time it came to mean specifically a drink taken to stimulate the appetite before a meal.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an alcoholic drink served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.
At the party they served several different aperitifs before the meal.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/15 10:18