meal etymology

Etymology

The word "meal" comes from the Old English word "mæl", which originally meant a "portion of food". It is related to the Old Norse word "mál", which means "time of eating".

Meaning

A meal is a set portion of food that is eaten at a specific time of day, typically breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It can also refer to a social gathering at which food is served.

Origin

The concept of a regular mealtime evolved over time as societies became more sedentary and agriculture developed. In early human cultures, food was eaten whenever it was available, and there was no set schedule for meals.

As civilizations grew and people began to live in permanent settlements, they developed more regular eating patterns. The earliest evidence of set mealtimes comes from ancient Egypt, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served at specific times of day.

In the Middle Ages, the concept of a regular mealtime spread throughout Europe. The upper classes typically ate three meals a day, while the lower classes often only had one or two.

In the 19th century, the industrial revolution led to a more standardized meal schedule. Workers in factories and other workplaces were given set break times for meals, and this practice eventually spread to the rest of society.

Today, the concept of a regular mealtime is still prevalent in most cultures around the world. However, the specific times and types of meals vary depending on the culture and region.

meal relate terms

  • piecemeal

    Etymology Piecemeal is a compound word derived from two Old English words piece

  • piece

    Etymology Piece derives from the Old French word piece meaning fragment share por

  • meal

    Etymology The word meal comes from the Old English word mæl which originally meant

  • inchmeal

    Etymology Inchmeal is derived from the Old English word incemeale which means piece

  • clock

    Etymology Middle English clokke from Old English clucge Germanic origin Proto German

  • meal

    Etymology The word meal comes from the Old English word mæl which originally meant

  • clepsydra

    Etymology and Meaning The word clepsydra comes from the Greek words kleptes meaning

  • flour

    Etymology Middle English flur fleur Old French flor Latin flos flower Meaning

  • mealy mouthed

    Etymology Mealymouthed is a compound word derived from two Old English words Meal

  • mildew

    Etymology of Mildew The word mildew is derived from the Middle English word mildewe

  • supper

    Etymology The word supper comes from the Old French word souper which in turn comes

  • repast

    Etymology The word repast comes from the Latin word repastus meaning a meal food

  • dine

    Etymology The word dine comes from the Old French verb disner which in turn derives

  • luncheon

    Etymology The word luncheon comes from the Middle English word noncheoun which was i

  • occasion

    Etymology The word occasion derives from the Latin word occasiō occasion meanin

  • nutrition

    Etymology The word nutrition comes from the Latin word nutrire meaning to nourish