banquet
banquet Lexical Profile
banquet Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An elaborate and formal evening meal for many people, often followed by speeches in honor of a person or special event.
"The university hosted an annual banquet to honor its most generous scholarship donors."
A sumptuous and plentiful supply of food and drink.
"The chef prepared a lavish banquet of roasted meats, fresh seafood, and artisanal pastries."
• verb
To entertain or honor someone with an elaborate, formal meal.
"The visiting diplomats were royally banqueted at the presidential palace."
To partake in a formal or lavish feast; to dine sumptuously.
"The guests banqueted on local delicacies late into the evening."
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century from Middle French 'banquet', from Italian 'banchetto', a diminutive of 'banco' (bench or table), originally referring to a light snack eaten on a small bench between main meals before evolving to mean a grand feast.