repast

American  

[ri-past, -pahst, ree-past, -pahst, ri-past, -pahst] / rɪˈpæst, -ˈpɑst, ˈri pæst, -pɑst, rɪˈpæst, -ˈpɑst /

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.

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verb (used without object)

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

repast British  

/ 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

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verb

1. archaic (intr) to feed (on)

Etymology

Origin of repast

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 )

Explanation

Whether it's a sumptuous feast you're sitting down to or just a simple bite to eat, repast is just another word for "meal." Based on the Latin word repascere, which means "to feed," a repast is any collection of food served and eaten at one time. In verb form, repast means to eat or feast. So at least by dictionary standards, you should feel free to repast on cheese doodles and marshmallow fluff for your morning repast — in other words, eat junk for breakfast.

Example Sentences

Not long afterward, another male red fox entered the scene of the crime; the purloined repast had been his.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

A prosecutor’s memo describes Caddle as “cold-hearted” and says he even attended the repast after Galdieri’s funeral.

From Washington Times • Jun. 29, 2023

Brunch was known as "the latest 'fad'" and "a repast at 11 o'clock a.m."

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2023

That allowed him to pay back rent, rehire a few employees and continue furnishing what he regarded as a sort of daily Thanksgiving repast for those in need.

From Washington Post • Nov. 24, 2021

Then your grandmother invited us in for the repast but Miss Trotter said she wasn’t up to it and we went home.”

From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia