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

Two siblings of Nigerian and Grenadian heritage founded Chuku’s as a way to introduce the uninitiated to Nigerian dining, and as a way for members of the diaspora to connect with their culture.

From New York Times

The expansion of Fresh Brothers is somewhat of an outlier in the fast-casual dining industry, where many chains have been struggling amid inflation and high labor costs.

From Los Angeles Times

The most fascinating is the complex compositional analysis of the figures in Leonardo’s second most famous painting, “The Last Supper,” that vast fresco in a communal dining room of a Dominican convent in Milan.

From Los Angeles Times

The show, now in its third season, follows a young chef from the fine dining world, Carmy, as he returns to the family-run sandwich shop in Chicago after his brother's suicide.

From BBC

At Disneyland Resort, that will mean a cash infusion of at least $1.9 billion into an expanded footprint with additional attractions, shopping, dining and entertainment options.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consume
• eat out
• feast
• lunch