repast

American  

[ri-past, -pahst, ree-past, -pahst, ri-past, -pahst] / rɪˈpæst, -ˈpɑst, ˈri pæst, -pɑst, rɪˈpæst, -ˈpɑst /

noun

1. a quantity of food taken or provided for one occasion of eating.

   to eat a light repast.

2. a meal.

   the evening repast.

3. the time during which a meal is eaten; mealtime.

4. Archaic. the taking of food, as at a meal.

5. Obsolete. food.

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verb (used without object)

1. to eat or feast (often followed by on orupon ).

repast British  

/ rɪˈpɑːst /

noun

1. a meal or the food provided at a meal

   a light repast

2. archaic

   1. food in general; nourishment

   2. the act of taking food or refreshment

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verb

1. archaic (intr) to feed (on)

Etymology

Origin of repast

1300–50; Middle English (noun) < Old French, derivative (compare past < Latin pāstus fodder) of repaistre to eat a meal < Late Latin repāscere to feed regularly, equivalent to Latin re- re- + pāscere to feed ( cf. pasture)

Explanation

Whether it's a sumptuous feast you're sitting down to or just a simple bite to eat, repast is just another word for "meal." Based on the Latin word repascere, which means "to feed," a repast is any collection of food served and eaten at one time. In verb form, repast means to eat or feast. So at least by dictionary standards, you should feel free to repast on cheese doodles and marshmallow fluff for your morning repast — in other words, eat junk for breakfast.

Example Sentences

Think of it less like "Breakfast Club" and more akin to, say, "Repast Recess."

From Salon • Feb. 10, 2023

The evening’s centerpiece is the world premiere of his “Chacony,” with music played live by the Repast Baroque Ensemble and the Shanghai Quartet.

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2017

But with “A Spring Fling!” at the Baruch Performing Arts Center on Wednesday evening, the Repast Baroque Ensemble came dangerously close to false advertising.

From New York Times • May 24, 2013

Repast — Amelia Roosevelt, violinist; John Mark Rozendaal, violist da gamba; and Avi Stein, harpsichordist — was joined in shifting alignments by a second gamba player, Sarah Cunningham.

From New York Times • May 24, 2013

And now suppose this Repast, the solid part of it, transacted; and the first bottle over.

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas