zakuska
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of zakuska
1880–85; < Russian zakúska (usually in plural), derivative of zakusít ʾ to snack, have a bite, equivalent to za- v. prefix + -kusit ʾ, derivative of kusát ʾ to bite
Explanation
Like an hors d'oeuvre, a zakuska is a light bite or appetizer served to guests. The word zakuska can also be used as the collective name for a whole spread of appetizing snacks. Although the name zakuska is Russian, derived from ther verb zakusit, meaning "to bite," zakuski are common in many Slavic cultures. Traditionally served at banquets, these appetizers range from simple to decadent. A typical spread might include caviar, pickled vegetables, fresh salads, cured meats and fish, blini, and hearty breads.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Gary toasts to the zakuska of the moment, a basket of pickles: “To the produce of the land, be it artisanal or locavore …”
From Slate ● Jan. 8, 2014
At the Kharkov station a leather-jacketed Soviet commissar bounced in, offered Manstein vodka and zakuska.
From Time Magazine Archive
Then with a sigh he drew a chair up to the table and began eating zakuska, putting salt-fish and radishes and sausage on to his place and eating them with a fork.
From The Secret City by Walpole, Hugh, Sir
They dined with open windows, taking a zakuska in the Russian fashion in lieu of hors d'œuvre, and nibbling at smoked fish, caviar and other pickled mysteries.
From Aladdin of London or, Lodestar by Pemberton, Max, Sir
Step 1 is to cover every square inch of the table with zakuski, the Slavic word for bite-size Russian drinking food, such as caviar with blini.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2018
Imagine the relief that would suffuse you if, while nibbling zakuski with a group of oilmen from Kazakhstan, you knew to call their largest city Almaty — rather than its Soviet name, Alma-Ata.
From New York Times ● Mar. 12, 2014
For zakuski we have salo, lovely lard strips: “I would like to toast to the pig that gave its life to be wrapped around a scallion in SoHo. What a sad end.”
From Slate ● Jan. 8, 2014
The zakuski events were a hit, and brought in generous individual donations.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 17, 2013
To the zakuski succeeded the meal itself, and the host became a perfect glutton on his guests' behalf.
From Dead Souls by Hogarth, D. J.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
