dine

¹

[ dahyn ]

verb (used without object)

, dined, din·ing.

1. to eat the principal meal of the day; have dinner.
2. to take any meal.

verb (used with object)

, dined, din·ing.

1. to entertain at dinner.

noun

1. Scot. dinner.

verb phrase

1. to take a meal, especially the principal or more formal meal of the day, away from home, as in a hotel or restaurant:

   They dine out at least once a week.

Dine

²

[ dahyn ]

noun

1. James Jim, born 1935, U.S. painter.

Diné

³

[ dih-ney ]

noun

, plural Di·nés, (especially collectively) Di·né.

1. a member of the Navajo people.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Navajo, their language, or their culture:

   handcrafted Diné jewelry.

dine

/ daɪn /

verb

1. intr to eat dinner
2. intr; often foll by on, off, or upon to make one's meal (of)

   the guests dined upon roast beef

3. informal.
   tr to entertain to dinner (esp in the phrase wine and dine someone )

Sensitive Note

The name Diné comes from the Native Athabascan language of the tribe, and it is preferred by many over Navajo, a name assigned by Spanish missionaries. Nevertheless, Navajo and Navaho are still in use and remain acceptable.

Other Words From

• pre·dine verb (used without object) predined predining

Word History and Origins

Origin of dine¹

1250–1300; Middle English dinen < Anglo-French, Old French di ( s ) ner < Vulgar Latin *disjējūnāre to break one's fast, equivalent to Latin dis- dis- ¹ + Late Latin jējūnāre to fast; jejune

Origin of dine²

First recorded in 1915–20; a self-designation meaning “The People”; Navajo ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dine¹

C13: from Old French disner, contracted from Vulgar Latin disjējūnāre (unattested) to cease fasting, from dis- not + Late Latin jējūnāre to fast; see jejune

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with dine , also see eat (dine) out ; wine and dine .

Example Sentences

Tó Nizhóní Ání means “sacred water speaks” in Horseherder’s native Diné or Navajo.

From Time

If you’re in northern Arizona, for instance, you might tell your kids that you’re on the homelands of the Diné people, then explain how the constellations traditionally help structure Diné life.

From Outside Online

Silver Stallion cofounder Scott Nydam and Diné photographer Shaun Price take us behind the wheel of the shop and explain the group’s mission to address systemic inequities in the community.

From Outside Online

In March, police arrested a group of wealthy businessmen and government officials who were about to dine on illegal tiger meat.

From The Daily Beast

When they do dine, the Hitchcocks sometimes use Limoges china marked “Plaza Athénée.”

From The Daily Beast

“When you attack public sector unions now, you are attacking the heart of the U.S. labor movement,” says Dine.

From The Daily Beast

He refused to dine with people, because he did not like being agitated during meal times.

From The Daily Beast

Lohse and his beleaguered fellow pledges were, he claims, forced to chug vinegar and to dine on the dreaded “vomlet.”

From The Daily Beast

After we had engaged our rooms, we drove back to the hotel where Liszt was staying, and where we were to dine immediately.

From Project Gutenberg

“Master and Mr. Pickwick is a going to dine here at five,” replied the fat boy.

From Project Gutenberg

We dine late, and as there are a good many boarders, it takes some time always to change the plates.

From Project Gutenberg

At the office he very wisely told the story to the other gentlemen there, with whom he was to dine next day.

From Project Gutenberg

I've heard my father say that at the big hotels at Atlantic City and other places they have a band play while the people dine.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consume
• eat out
• feast
• lunch