antipasto
Americannoun
plural
antipastos, antipastinoun
Etymology
Origin of antipasto
First recorded in 1580–90; from Italian, equivalent to anti- (from Latin ante- “before”) + pasto “food,” from Latin pāstus “pasturage, feeding ground,” originally “the act of feeding,” equivalent to pās-, stem of pāscere “to feed” + -tus suffix of verbal action; ante-
Explanation
Antipasto is a kind of appetizer, a small dish you order before your entree. Antipasto is on the menu at many Italian restaurants. In Italy, a traditional meal begins with antipasto, which generally includes cheese, cured meat, and pickled vegetables. In the US, antipasto is thought of as an hors d’oeuvre or an appetizer. The word itself, antipasto, means "before the meal," from the roots anti-, "before," and pasto, "food." The plural of antipasto is antipasti.
Vocabulary lists containing antipasto
World Cuisine - Introductory
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World Cuisine - Middle School and High School
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2015 Spelling Bee - Words from Round 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Have you ever shopped for an antipasto or mezze platter or charcuterie or grazing board and wondered how to buy better cheese at the grocery store?
From Salon • Jan. 25, 2023
Being in a government “is not like picking up a menu and deciding, antipasto, no, gelato, yes,” said Emma Bonino, who leads a tiny pro-Europe party.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2022
They’ve got sandwiches, salads and fun snacks for sharing like antipasto and hummus.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2022
"The classic Tuscan antipasto would not be complete without crostini di fegatini," writes recipe developer Emiko Davies.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2022
“Thank you,” Alex said, passing the pizza, the antipasto, and the bag of garlic knots to Mr. Dunlap.
From "The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
