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Origin of diet

1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English noun diete “day’s journey, appointed day, way of living,” from Anglo-French, Old French diete, from Latin diaeta, from Greek díaita “way of living, diet,” equivalent to dia- dia- + -aita (akin to aîsa “share, lot”; the verb is derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM diet

di·et·er, nounnon·di·et·er, nounnon·di·et·ing, adjective, noun

Other definitions for diet (2 of 2)

diet2
[ dahy-it ]
/ ˈdaɪ ɪt /

noun
the legislative body of certain countries, as Japan.
the general assembly of the estates of the former Holy Roman Empire.

Origin of diet

2
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin diēta “public assembly,” the same word as Latin diaeta with sense affected by Latin diēs “day”; see diet1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use diet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for diet (1 of 2)

diet1
/ (ˈdaɪət) /

noun
  1. a specific allowance or selection of food, esp prescribed to control weight or in disorders in which certain foods are contraindicateda salt-free diet; a 900-calorie diet
  2. (as modifier)a diet bread
the food and drink that a person or animal regularly consumesa diet of nuts and water
regular activities or occupations
verb
(usually intr) to follow or cause to follow a dietary regimen

Derived forms of diet

dieter, noun

Word Origin for diet

C13: from Old French diete, from Latin diaeta, from Greek diaita mode of living, from diaitan to direct one's own life

British Dictionary definitions for diet (2 of 2)

diet2
/ (ˈdaɪət) /

noun
(sometimes capital) a legislative assembly in various countries, such as Japan
Also called: Reichstag (sometimes capital) the assembly of the estates of the Holy Roman Empire
Scots law
  1. the date fixed by a court for hearing a case
  2. a single session of a court

Word Origin for diet

C15: from Medieval Latin diēta public meeting, probably from Latin diaeta diet 1 but associated with Latin diēs day
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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