apéritif

[ ah-per-i-teef, uh-per-; French a-pey-ree-teef ]

noun

, plural a·pé·ri·tifs [ah-per-i-, teefs, a, -pey-, r, ee-, teef].

1. a small drink of alcoholic liquor taken to stimulate the appetite before a meal.
2. Also called apéritif wine. a wine served as an appetizer or cocktail.

apéritif

/ ɑːˌpɛrɪˈtiːf; əˌpɛr- /

noun

1. an alcoholic drink, esp a wine, drunk before a meal to whet the appetite

Word History and Origins

Origin of apéritif¹

1890–95; < French ( vin ) apéritif; aperitive

Word History and Origins

Origin of apéritif¹

C19: from French, from Medieval Latin aperitīvus, from Latin aperīre to open

Example Sentences

But the “yellow liquid” was actually a Ricard pastis, the anise-flavored aperitif, which is considerably stronger than wine.

From The Daily Beast

The man will bring you an aperitif while I escape from this accursed frock coat.

From Project Gutenberg

One could easily stimulate desire for food by swallowing a strong aperitif.

From Project Gutenberg

A French cafe was installed there, and two or three soldiers were taking their aperitif before dinner out in the air.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aperitif
• appetizer
• drink
• wine