Banquet

(băngk/wet), n. [Fr. banquet, It. banchetto, Sp. banquete, feast, a small bench, Fr. banquette, a little seat, Sp. banqueta, a stool with three legs. Banquet is originally a sitting, and hence a feast. See BANK and BANQUETTE.]

1Sense 1. A feast; a rich entertainment.

That dares prefer the toils of Hercules To dalliance, banquets, and ignoble ease. Dryden.

2Sense 2. A dessert, or light entertainment at the end of a feast. [Obs.]

There were all the dainties, not only of the season, but of what art could add, venison, plain solid meat, fowl, baked and boiled meats, banquet in exceeding plenty, and exquisitely dressed. Evelyn.

Synonyms—Feast; entertainment; treat.

[imp. & p. p. BANQUETED; p. pr. & vb. n. BANQUETING.] To treat with a feast or rich entertainment.

Just in time to banquet The illustrious company assembled there. Coleridge.

To regale one's self with good eating and drinking; to feast.

Were it a draught for Juno when she banquets, I would not taste thy treasonous offer. Milton.

n. [See BANQUETTE.] 1. (Arch.) The footway of a bridge, when raised above the carriage way. Gwilt. 2. A small rod-shaped part of a horse's bridle, under the eye. Bailey.