dine

Dine refers to taking part in a meal, especially the main meal of the day. It can be used whether the meal is eaten at home or in a restaurant, and it conveys a sense of formality or social occasion. The everyday synonym is "eat," but dine often implies a more deliberate or socially-oriented dining experience.

Usage: The verb can be used in various constructions: "dine at a restaurant," "dine with friends," "dine in" (to eat at home) and "dine out" (to eat at a restaurant). Phrases such as "dine and dash" describe leaving after eating without paying. In formal contexts, menus or invitations might say "dining" rather than "eating."

Etiquette and practice: Dining etiquette covers seating, course order, use of utensils, conversation, and pacing. Practices vary widely by culture and occasion, from casual meals to banquets and formal state dinners. In many Western traditions, it is customary to begin with an appetizer, followed by a main course and dessert, with utensils arranged in a specific way and table manners observed.

Origins: The word dine comes from Old French disner, originally referring to the principal meal of the day. In early English usage, the main meal was sometimes eaten at midday; over time, the term dinner came to denote the evening meal in many English-speaking communities, while "dining" remains the generic act of eating.