appetizer
UK: ˈæpɪtaɪzə | US: ˈæpɪtaɪzər
n. a small dish of food served before the main meal to stimulate the appetite
n. something that arouses interest or anticipation for what follows
appetizer = appet<desire> + ize<verb suffix> + er<noun suffix>
- appet (from Latin appetitus, meaning "desire" or "longing")
- ize (a verb-forming suffix, often indicating "to make" or "to cause")
- er (a noun-forming suffix, indicating "one who" or "that which")
Etymology Origin:
The word "appetizer" traces back to the Latin appetitus, meaning "desire" or "craving." The suffix -ize was added to form the verb "appetize," meaning "to stimulate appetite," and -er later turned it into a noun referring to the food itself. The term reflects the idea of a small dish designed to awaken the desire for more food, evolving into its modern usage in culinary contexts.
The restaurant served a delicious shrimp cocktail as an appetizer.
She ordered a plate of bruschetta for an appetizer before her pasta arrived.
The first chapter of the book acts as an appetizer, hinting at the drama to come.
We shared a cheese platter as an appetizer while waiting for the main course.
His speech was just an appetizer for the larger discussion planned later.