victual

[ vit-l ]

noun

1. victuals, food supplies; provisions.
2. food or provisions for human beings.

verb (used with object)

, vict·ualed, vict·ual·ing or (especially British) vict·ualled, vict·ual·ling.

1. to supply with victuals.

verb (used without object)

, vict·ualed, vict·ual·ing or (especially British) vict·ualled, vict·ual·ling.

1. to take or obtain victuals.
2. Archaic. to eat or feed.

victual

/ ˈvɪtəl /

verb

1. to supply with or obtain victuals
2. rare.
   intr (esp of animals) to partake of victuals

Derived Forms

• ˈvictual-less, adjective

Other Words From

• victual·less adjective
• re·victual verb revictualed revictualing or (especially British) revictualled revictualling
• un·victualed un·victualled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of victual¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English vitaille, from Anglo-French, Middle French vitail(l)e, Old French vituaille, from Late Latin victuālia “provisions,” noun use of neuter plural of Latin victuālis “pertaining to food,” equivalent to victu(s) “nourishment, way of living” ( vic-, variant stem of vīvere “to live” + -tus suffix of verb action) + -ālis -al ¹; modern spelling from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of victual¹

C14: from Old French vitaille, from Late Latin victuālia provisions, from Latin victuālis concerning food, from victus sustenance, from vīvere to live

Example Sentences

When it’s in the hands of cinematic chef and film critic Justin Chang, the visual victuals can be sumptuous.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, home cooks follow restaurant chefs, hoping to glean the secrets of serving exceptional victuals.

From Seattle Times

Project leaders said it was "an exciting opportunity to examine part of an early victualling yard".

From BBC

If there were a wandering victuals club — transporting loaded suitcases with bubble-wrapped jars, and brown paper sacks brimming with backyard garden goodies — Dr. Howard Conyers would be a member.

From New York Times

He gushed forth praise for the Abbey victuals.

From Literature

Related Words

• bread
• cooking
• cuisine
• drink
• fare
• feed
• foodstuff
• meal
• meat
• snack