delicatessen Hear it!

delicatessen definition

☆ deli·ca·tes·sen (del′i kə tes′ən)

noun

  1. prepared cooked meats, smoked fish, cheeses, salads, relishes, etc., collectively
  2. a shop where such foods are sold

Etymology: Ger delikatessen, derived by folk etym. < delikat (< Fr délicat) + essen, food, but actually pl. of delikatesse < Fr délicatesse, delicacy (< délicat: see delicate) assoc. with It delicatezza, ult. of same orig.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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