repast

American  

[ri-past, -pahst, ree-past, -pahst, ri-past, -pahst] / rɪˈpæst, -ˈpɑst, ˈri pæst, -pɑst, rɪˈpæst, -ˈpɑst /

noun

1. a quantity of food taken or provided for one occasion of eating.

   to eat a light repast.

2. a meal.

   the evening repast.

3. the time during which a meal is eaten; mealtime.

4. Archaic. the taking of food, as at a meal.

5. Obsolete. food.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to eat or feast (often followed by on orupon ).

repast British  

/ rɪˈpɑːst /

noun

1. a meal or the food provided at a meal

   a light repast

2. archaic

   1. food in general; nourishment

   2. the act of taking food or refreshment

---

verb

1. archaic (intr) to feed (on)

Etymology

Origin of repast

1300–50; Middle English (noun) < Old French, derivative (compare past < Latin pāstus fodder) of repaistre to eat a meal < Late Latin repāscere to feed regularly, equivalent to Latin re- re- + pāscere to feed ( pasture )

Example Sentences

Not long afterward, another male red fox entered the scene of the crime; the purloined repast had been his.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

With a few final prayers, they head to the St. Regis New York for the after party . . . er, repast.

From Salon • May 22, 2023

Maybe too decadent for an office worker’s midday repast, but I’ll happily risk an afternoon knockout punch for this sandwich.

From Washington Post • Aug. 29, 2022

Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m., followed by a memorial service and a repast.

From Washington Times • Nov. 16, 2021

Mr. Ray said they were expecting it to be a pretty big repast.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds