Aperitif
/əˈperɪtiːf/noun
A drink, usually alcoholic, served before a meal to stimulate the appetite.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin aperīre, “to open,” linking the aperitif to the old medical idea that certain drinks could open or awaken the body’s appetite.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁wer-
“To cover or conceal; this reconstructed root is a proposed source for the idea of uncovering in Latin.”
Proto-Italic
Proto-Italic
*apēriō
“To uncover or open; reconstructed ancestor of Latin aperīre.”
Classical Latin
Latin
aperīre
“To open, uncover, or reveal.”
Late Latin
Latin
aperītīvus
“Opening; especially, having the effect of opening bodily passages or stimulating appetite.”
18th Century
French
apéritif
“A drink taken before a meal as an appetite stimulant.”
19th Century
English
aperitif
“An alcoholic drink served before dinner; adopted from French.”