Delicatessen Definition

dĕlĭ-kə-tĕsən
delicatessens
noun
delicatessens
A shop where such foods are sold.
Webster's New World
Prepared cooked meats, smoked fish, cheeses, salads, relishes, etc., collectively.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
  • delicatessen food
  • food-shop
  • deli
  • salumeria (Italian)
  • charcuterie (French)
  • grocery

Other Word Forms of Delicatessen

Noun

Singular:
delicatessen
Plural:
delicatessens

Origin of Delicatessen

  • German Delikatessen from pl. of Delikatesse delicacy from French délicatesse from Italian delicatezza from delicato delicate, dainty from Latin dēlicātus pleasing delicate

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • 1864. From German Delikatessen, plural of Delikatesse (“fine food”), from French délicatesse, from delicat (“fine”), from Latin delicatus (“alluring”).

    From Wiktionary

  • The sense of store much more recent, originating in ellipsis from the common attributive use, as in delicatessen shop, delicatessen store, etc.

    From Wiktionary

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