hors d'oeuvre
[ or DERV ]
Small savory appetizers served before the meal, customarily with an
APÉRITIF or
COCKTAIL. They are usually one- or two-bite size and can be cold or hot. Hors d'oeuvre may be in the form of a fancy
CANAPÉ or as simple as a selection of
CRUDITÉS. The word "hors d'oeuvre" is properly used for both the singular and plural forms. The reason is that the term translates literally as (dishes) "outside the work (meal)" and no matter how many dishes there are, there is only one "work." In today's modern parlance, however, the plural is often spoken and written as hors d'oeuvres.
© Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc. 1995 based on THE FOOD LOVER'S
COMPANION, 2nd edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst.
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