repast

[ noun ri-past, -pahst, ree-past, -pahst; verb ri-past, -pahst ]

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.

verb (used without object)

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

repast

/ 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

verb

1. archaic.
   intr to feed (on)

Word History and Origins

Origin of repast¹

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 ( pasture )

Word History and Origins

Origin of repast¹

C14: from Old French, from repaistre to feed, from Late Latin repāscere to nourish again, from Latin re- + pāscere to feed, pasture (of animals)

Example Sentences

They had a repast together, and Aguinaldo called for cheers for Spain, in which all heartily joined.

From Project Gutenberg

The cook, placed upon her mettle, served a delicious repast—a luscious tenderloin broiled a point.

From Project Gutenberg

On the table some kind of cold repast was laid, the viands concealed under china covers.

From Project Gutenberg

The startled guests filed hastily across to find a dainty but sumptuous repast served at little tables.

From Project Gutenberg

I visited one day, in Aberdeen, a restaurant where a copious repast was being served for the modest sum of two pence a head.

From Project Gutenberg