‖ gourmet
(gurmɛ, ˈgʊəmeɪ)
[F. gourmet, repr. of OF. gourmet, groumet, gromet, a wine-merchant's assistant, a wine-taster: cf. grummet.]
a. A connoisseur in the delicacies of the table.
| 1820 [A. D. Macquin] Tabella Cibaria 16 note, The gormand unites theory with practice, and may be denominated Gastronomer. The gourmet is merely theoretical, cares little about practising, and deserves the higher appellation of Gastrologer. 1835 W. Irving Tour Prairies xiv. Crayon Misc. (1863) 80 All relished with an appetite unknown to the gourmets of the cities. 1841 Thackeray Mem. Gormandising Misc. Ess. (1885) 399 The most finished gourmet of my acquaintance. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. ii. xi, Lord Brackenshaw was something of a gourmet. |
b. attrib. and quasi-adj.
| 1904 Westm. Gaz. 21 Jan. 8/1 The public in the matter of jokes is gourmand rather than gourmet. 1908 Athenæum 11 Apr. 447/3 Few can hope to rival the gourmet-author [of The Gourmet's Guide to Europe] in the extent of their experiences. 1967 K. Giles Death in Diamonds vi. 111 It was a wonderful, gourmet meal. 1971 M. McCarthy Birds of America 72 Gift shops selling ‘gourmet’ food. |
Hence (nonce-wds.) ˈgourmetise [quasi-Fr. after gourmandise], ˈgourmetism, daintiness in eating.
| 1851 Fraser's Mag. XLIV. 605 From the discriminating gourmetise of the young nobleman, to the expansive gourmandise of the voracious grisette, all are more or less gastrological. 1853 Jerdan Autobiog. III. viii. 107 To enjoy his refined gourmetism on the cheapest fare. |