delicatessen

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Delicacies; exotic or expensive foods.

   I shall have Royal Climax sausages every Tuesday and Saturday. Leave your orders early as there is a demand for these delicious delicatessen. J. W. Galloway.

2. 2
   noun

   a shop selling ready-to-eat food products

3. 3
   noun

   ready-to-eat food products

4. 4
   noun

   A shop that sells cooked or prepared foods ready for serving.

Etymology

First attested 1864. From German Delikatessen, plural of Delikatesse (“delicacy, fine food”), at the time also spelt Delicatesse(n), from French délicatesse, from délicat (“fine”), from Latin delicatus (“alluring”). The sense of store is much more recent, originating in ellipsis from the common attributive use, as in delicatessen shop, delicatessen store, etc.