dine

¹

[ dahyn ]

verb (used without object)

, dined, din·ing.

1. to eat the principal meal of the day; have dinner.
2. to take any meal.

verb (used with object)

, dined, din·ing.

1. to entertain at dinner.

noun

1. Scot. dinner.

verb phrase

1. to take a meal, especially the principal or more formal meal of the day, away from home, as in a hotel or restaurant:

   They dine out at least once a week.

Dine

²

[ dahyn ]

noun

1. James Jim, born 1935, U.S. painter.

Diné

³

[ dih-ney ]

noun

, plural Di·nés, (especially collectively) Di·né.

1. a member of the Navajo people.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Navajo, their language, or their culture:

   handcrafted Diné jewelry.

dine

/ daɪn /

verb

1. intr to eat dinner
2. intr; often foll by on, off, or upon to make one's meal (of)

   the guests dined upon roast beef

3. informal.
   tr to entertain to dinner (esp in the phrase wine and dine someone )

Sensitive Note

The name Diné comes from the Native Athabascan language of the tribe, and it is preferred by many over Navajo, a name assigned by Spanish missionaries. Nevertheless, Navajo and Navaho are still in use and remain acceptable.

Other Words From

• pre·dine verb (used without object) predined predining

Word History and Origins

Origin of dine¹

1250–1300; Middle English dinen < Anglo-French, Old French di ( s ) ner < Vulgar Latin *disjējūnāre to break one's fast, equivalent to Latin dis- dis- ¹ + Late Latin jējūnāre to fast; jejune

Origin of dine²

First recorded in 1915–20; a self-designation meaning “The People”; Navajo ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dine¹

C13: from Old French disner, contracted from Vulgar Latin disjējūnāre (unattested) to cease fasting, from dis- not + Late Latin jējūnāre to fast; see jejune

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with dine , also see eat (dine) out ; wine and dine .

Example Sentences

During his week in Manchester, Amorim joined Lindelof and Matic for lunch in the canteen and, after a busy day of learning, he was invited to dine with an impressed Mourinho at Juan Mata's restaurant in the city centre.

From BBC

While giving back local control was Trump’s stated rationale, tribes in the area, like the Diné, Ute, Hopi, and Zuni, had been working for years to protect the two iconic and culturally significant sites.

From Salon

It was a major regional attraction where thousands came every year to stroll among quaint shops, take boat rides and dine by the water.

From Los Angeles Times

While miniature windmills and Viking statues still abound in Solvang, the largest town in the Santa Ynez Valley, there’s a new crop of places to dine, taste wine and shop.

From Los Angeles Times

This may be the most extravagant stay on any of the Southern California inn-to-inn hikes, with your choice of bungalows, casitas or villas and the option to dine at one of nine restaurants, plus a lavish spa.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consume
• eat out
• feast
• lunch