sorbet
(ˈsɔːbɪt, ˈsɔːbeɪ)
Also 8 sorbette.
[a. F. sorbet (Sp. sorbete, Pg. sorvete), ad. It. sorbetto, ad. Turk. shorbet (see sherbet), perh. influenced by It. sorbire to imbibe. So Du. and Flem. sorbet, G. sorbet(t.]
1. = sherbet.
| 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. iii. x, Of the beurage which they do cal Sorbet, they do much vse to drinke in the sommer. [1613 Haga at Constantinople 5 Each of the Bassas, and the Ambassadour dranke Sorbetta,..which is a kinde of drinke made of Water, Suger, and iuyce of Lemonds, mixed with Amber and Muske.] 1682 Wheler Journ. Greece ii. 204 Their most ordinary Drink is Water; next, a Sorbet made of Raisins steeped in Water. 1766 Smollett Trav. xix. I. 308 Among the refreshments of these warm countries, I ought not to forget mentioning the sorbettes. 1805 Ann. Rev. III. 61 Coffee, chocolate, ices, and sorbets are offered beneath the pavilions of the terras. 1834 Beckford Italy I. 117 They resorted to drink coffee and sorbet, with laughter and merriment. 1844 tr. M. T. Asmar's Mem. Babylonian Princ. II. 27 After some moments spent in mutual civilities, sorbets were served. |
2. A variety of sweetmeat or ice.
| 1864 Daily Telegr. 27 Sept., The menu..meandered gracefully through fish, flesh, fowl, and truffles, and finally melted away into sorbets. 1885 Mabel Collins Prettiest Woman v, The sorbets are delicious sweets of almonds, pistachio, chocolate, or coffee. |