dine

¹

[dahyn]

verb (used without object)

dined, dining 

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

2. to take any meal.

verb (used with object)

dined, dining 

1. to entertain at dinner.

noun

1. Scot.,  dinner.

verb phrase

1. dine out,  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

Dinés ,

plural

Diné .

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 Word Forms

• predine verb (used without object)

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

• eat (dine) out
• wine and dine

Example Sentences

I’ve dined out once in over a decade if you don’t count Sonic cheese sticks and a soda.

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In my French dining debacle, that’s what ordering that second bottle achieved.

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If saving $200 a month by not dining out helps you pay off one of your debts, plan an extra-special night cooking at home and watching a movie instead.

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Guerin invited him to dine with the team earlier this week and the players left a sizable impression.

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What he’s known for: Bringing the flavors of his Palestinian heritage to the D.C. dining scene.

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Related Words

• consume 
• eat out 
• feast 
• lunch