meat
UK: miːt | US: miːt
n. the flesh of an animal used as food
n. (archaic) food in general; edible substance
n. (figurative) the essential part or substance of something
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The word "meat" traces back to Old English mete, meaning "food" or "nourishment," derived from Proto-Germanic matiz. Originally, it referred to all types of food, not just animal flesh. Over time, its meaning narrowed to specifically denote animal flesh consumed as food, while the broader sense became archaic. This shift reflects cultural and linguistic specialization, where "meat" evolved to distinguish protein sources from other edible categories (e.g., vegetables, grains).
She prefers plant-based alternatives to meat.
In medieval times, "meat" could refer to any kind of meal.
The meat of the argument was lost in trivial details.
He grilled the meat until it was perfectly tender.
This book gets to the meat of the issue quickly.